BE1021416B1 - ELEMENT FOR STORING, HANDLING AND TRANSPORTING MAINLY PLATE-MADE ITEMS - Google Patents

Abstract

Element (1) for transporting objects, having ribs (2) spaced apart from each other and two sides (8, 9) each with a connecting slat (3A, 3B) for the ribs, whereby a connecting slat (3A, 3B) a top edge (10) at a first height (H1) and a connecting slat (3A, 3B) has a bottom edge (11) at a second height (H²), the element (1) being provided on a side (8, 9) of a protrusion (12, 15) extending laterally beyond the connecting slat (3A, 3B) on that side (8, 9) and having a bottom edge (14) at a third height (H³) greater than or equal to the first height (H1) or a top edge (16) at a fourth height (H4) that is less than or equal to the second height (H²).

Description

Element for storing, handling and transporting mainly plate-shaped objects.

The present invention relates to an element for storing, handling and transporting objects.

The invention more particularly relates to an element for storing, treating and transporting fragile or easily damaged mainly flat objects, such as glass panels, plates, tablets, tiles and the like in any materials such as natural stone, ceramics, glass etc.

Damage, whether it is a fracture or a damage to a surface with a decorative finish, must of course be avoided.

When such objects are stacked flat for storage, handling or transport, they are relatively vulnerable to shocks which may occur during transport or during handling and also to scratches which can occur due to the objects sliding over each other.

Even if hard particles are present between the objects, such as, for example, grains of sand or particles that have broken off from the objects themselves, the risk of damage is particularly high.

With elements for storing, handling and transporting objects, it is also important that they are designed as cheaply as possible, because they are often intended for single use only.

For cost reasons, the elements are therefore selected as small as possible for the load for which they are intended.

Also, if they are small in design, the elements are relatively light, so that they can be transported more cheaply and whereby their own weight is minimized compared to the weight placed on them, which typically ranges from approximately 500 to approximately 1500 kg.

Nevertheless, such elements must of course meet the safety requirements and must therefore not collapse or fall over in the event of sudden movements, which may occur, for example, during emergency maneuvers of a vehicle in which the elements are being transported.

That is why normally the objects are secured to the elements with straps or otherwise.

The elements are also secured with their objects to a vehicle or to a container. Because the objects are usually not strong enough, it is necessary to avoid applying straps or the like over the objects, but these must run over a part of the elements where there are no objects.

Such elements are described in WO 2012/031340 that meet all requirements: they are light yet strong and inexpensive to manufacture.

However, these elements have a disadvantage if a number are used side by side. In this case, preferably one or a single strap is used to secure a number of elements in one go.

The tensioning straps here only exert a very limited downward force on elements located between two elements, as a result of which these elements can still move relatively easily.

This can itself cause damage to the objects if these elements shift or tilt. Rather, however, an element may fail because the forces act in violent external movements in a direction that does not correspond to the direction in which the element can withstand the maximum forces, normally the vertical direction, or are not evenly distributed over the entire elements.

The invention therefore has for its object to provide a solution to at least one of the aforementioned and other disadvantages in that it provides an element for storing, handling and transporting objects, which comprises two or more ribs which are situated at a mutual distance of extend each other in width and height direction, wherein the element has two opposite sides which are both provided with a lateral connecting lath extending in the longitudinal direction of the element, wherein at least one lateral connecting lath has an upper edge which is at a first height and at least one lateral connecting lath has a lower edge which is at a second height, the ribs being connected to each other by means of the connecting laths, the element being provided on one or both sides with one or more protrusions which laterally extend beyond the lateral connecting lath the side sticks or stitches and the one o has or have a lower edge at a third height that is greater than or equal to the first height or has an upper edge or have a fourth height that is less than or equal to the second height, so that when the element is placed laterally against an identical element, a protrusion or protrusions is or are located above or below a lateral connecting lath of the identical element.

When such elements are used side-by-side, in the case of a first slight deformation or tilt, the protrusions of a first element and a lateral connecting lath of another element will transfer vertical forces to each other, causing further movement of the elements, which ultimately collapse. of an element or tilt can be prevented.

In short, this increases the resistance of the elements to all kinds of violent movements that may occur during transport, so that with a constant construction of the element the weight of the load can be increased or with a similar load a lighter and / or smaller element is used. can become.

The difference between the third and the first height and / or the difference between the second and the fourth height is preferably smaller than 5 mm, more preferably smaller than 2 mm and even more preferably smaller than 1 mm.

As a result, a force transfer already takes place with a very slight deformation or movement, which, moreover, does not occur jerkily.

In yet a further preferred embodiment, the said one or more protrusions are located on one or more ribs.

Because the ribs bear the vertical forces, this has the advantage that the action of the protrusions is most direct, because the forces do not first have to be transferred from the ribs to other elements.

In a still further preferred embodiment, the protrusions are hereby integrally formed with a rib. As a result, an element with protrusions is hardly, if at all, more expensive than a traditional element.

In a further preferred embodiment, the element is provided on either side with one or more of the said projections, said projections having a lower edge on a first side at a third height that is greater than or equal to the first height of the upper edge of the connecting slat on a second, opposite side and wherein said protrusions on the second side have an upper edge at a fourth height that is smaller or equal to the second height of the lower edge of the connecting slat on the first side.

This has the advantage that loaded elements can be easily and precisely positioned relative to each other by means of a pallet truck, by placing elements on the pallet truck and driving with the first side directed in the direction of travel.

The element on the pallet truck is hereby higher than elements already placed, as a result of which the protrusions on the elements cannot collide with the other elements and the elements can be placed neatly with their sides against each other, after which the element is lowered on the pallet truck so that the protrusions are lowered. and the lateral connecting slats can act as a power transmission on each other.

In another preferred embodiment, the element has at least two of such protrusions on each side and at least one of the protrusions on each side has a lower edge at a third height that is greater than or equal to the first height and at least one of the protrusions has an upper edge at a fourth height that is less than or equal to the second height.

As a result, both upwardly directed and downwardly oriented deformations are transmitted to adjacent elements, whereby the element supports each other in two directions, and thus a more stable placement is obtained.

With the insight to better demonstrate the characteristics of the invention, a preferred embodiment of an element according to the invention is described below as an example without any limiting character, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically and in perspective represents an element according to the invention; figure 2 represents a side view according to arrow F2 of the element of figure 1; figure 3 represents a side view according to arrow F3 of the element of figure 1; figures 4 and 5 show the use of elements according to figure 1; Figure 6 is a larger-scale and more detailed representation of the part of Figure 5 indicated by F6; Figure 7 is a plan view of elements as shown in Figure 5 with F6; Figure 8 is a larger-scale and more detailed representation of the part of Figure 7 indicated by F8;

Figure 9 schematically and in perspective represents an alternative element according to the invention; and Figures 10 and 11 are views corresponding to the views in Figures 6 and 8, respectively, and which relate to the use of the element of Figure 9.

The element 1 for placing plate-shaped objects on it, shown in figures 1 to 3, is made of wood, for example multi-layered wood board such as plywood and has a length L of 1800 mm and a width B of 600 mm.

The element 1 mainly consists of three plate-shaped ribs 2 which extend in height and width directions and which each consist of a single piece of wood and of four connecting slats 3 which connect the ribs 2 parallel to each other and viewed in a longitudinal direction at a distance from each other.

The connecting slats 3 are arranged in recesses in the ribs 2. They extend in the longitudinal direction of the element 1 and project beyond the ribs 2.

The ribs 2 and connecting slats 3 are attached to each other by means of combined pin / screw connections, but other fixing methods are of course also possible.

The ribs 2 each have two bearing edges 4 which extend substantially horizontally but are at a small angle α of 5 ° with a horizontal line, such that they form an upwardly directed angle with each other of 170 °

The bearing edges 4 of each rib 2 run parallel to bearing edges 4 of the other ribs 2.

The ribs 2 also have two supporting edges 5, each of which is perpendicular to a bearing edge 4. The supporting edges 5 of a rib 2 jointly define a back part 6. Because the ribs 2 are identical, the supporting edges 5 of each rib 2 run parallel to supporting edges 5 of the other ribs 2.

The bearing edges 4 are not of the same length, so that the center of the back part 6 is approximately 15 mm beside the center of the element 1.

The ribs 2 have feet 7 on which the element 1 rests, and which ensure that there are free spaces under the element 1 in which the forks of standard transport aids, such as for example a forklift truck or a pallet truck, fit.

Two of the connecting slats, 3A, 3B are located on the sides 8, 9 of the element, namely one connecting slat 3A, 3B on each side 8.9. These lateral connecting slats 3A, 3B have a thickness Dv of 18 mm and a height Hv of 92 mm. Its upper edge 10 is located at a first height H 1 of 186 mm and its lower edge 11 is located at a second height H 2 of 94 mm above the bottom of the element 1.

A third connecting slat 3C is situated midway between the two lateral connecting slats 3A, 3B, below the back parts 6 of the ribs 2, and is arranged at such a height that the underside thereof is also at the second height H2 of 94 mm.

A fourth connecting lath 3D is located in a recess in one of the bearing edges 4 of each of the ribs 2.

The ribs 2 are each provided on a first side 8 of the element 1 with a protrusion 12, which is integrally formed with the rib 2, i.e. from the same plate of wood, and which is located above the recess 13 for the lateral connecting lath 3A on the first side, and adjacent to this recess 13.

The lower edge 14 of each of the protrusions 12 on the first side 8 is located at a third height H3 of 187.5 mm, i.e. 0.5 mm above the first height Hi. This difference is so small that it is not visible in the figures.

On the second opposite side 9, the ribs 2 are each provided with a protrusion 15, which is also integrally formed with the rib 2 and which is located under the recess 13 for the lateral connecting lath 3B on the second side 9, and subsequently to this recess 13.

The upper edge 16 of each of the protrusions 15 on the second side 9 is located at a fourth height H4 of 93.5 mm, i.e. 0.5 mm below the second height H2. This difference is so small that it is not visible in the figures.

The protrusions 12, 15 project over a distance A of 15 mm outside the lateral connecting lath 3A, 3B on the same side.

The use of the above-described element 1 is described below, with reference to figures 4 to 8. This use relates to the placing of a number of elements 1, such as happens, for example, in a truck prior to a transport.

For the sake of clarity, no objects placed on the elements 1 are shown here. In practice, however, objects to be transported during use are placed on the elements 1, for example glass plates which are placed side by side with an edge on the supporting edges 4 and are thereby supported vertically, and which rest against the supporting edges 5 with a flat side. , directly or via glass plates placed closer to the supporting edges 5 and thereby supported laterally.

A first element IA is first placed, for example with the aid of a pallet truck 17, wherein the placement direction is in the direction from the second side 9 to the first side 8 and corresponds to the direction of travel of the truck. This direction is indicated by the arrow P.

A second, identical element 1B is then placed in the same placement direction, also with the aid of a pallet truck 17.

Thanks to the fact that a fourth connecting lath 3D is only present on one side of the back parts 6, the loader can easily choose the correct orientation for each element 1.

The pallet truck 17 lifts the element IB via the lateral connecting lath 3B on the second side 9 and the third connecting lath 3C. As a result, no part of the pallet truck 17 protrudes beyond the first side 8, so that the second element 1B can be placed precisely against the first element IA.

This situation is shown in Figure 4. The second element 1B is slightly higher than the first element IA in that the second element 1B is located on the pallet truck 17.

The second element 1B is driven with its first side 8 against the second side 9 of the first element IA. This is done in a slightly shifted position compared to the first element IA, so that the ribs 2 of the two elements IA, 1B are not aligned with each other. This is especially clear from Figure 6.

Due to the slightly elevated position of the second element 1B, the projections 12 on the first side 8 of the second element 1B are considerably higher than the lateral connecting slats 3A, 3B of the first element IA, and the lateral connecting slats 3A, 3B of the second element 1B is considerably higher than the projections 15 on the second side 9 of the first element IA, so that said projections 12, 15 do not interfere with the accurate positioning of the second element 1B against the first element IA with their lateral connecting slats 3A, 3B against each other.

The element 1B can then be lowered and the pallet truck 17 removed.

The protrusions 15 on the second side 9 of the first element IA are now located under the lateral connecting lath 3A on the first side 8 of the second element 1B, and the protrusions 12 on the first side 8 of the second element 1B are located above the lateral connecting lath 3B on the second side 9 of the first element IA, with a gap of only 0.5 mm in both cases.

A third element IC is now placed in a similar manner, wherein this third element IA is again slightly shifted in the longitudinal direction L relative to the second element 1B, such that the ribs 2 of the third element IC are aligned with the ribs 2 of the first element IA.

The situation now obtained is shown in figures 5 to 8. It is clear that even more elements 1 can be placed in a similar manner, but for the sake of clarity only three elements 1 are assumed in this example.

The elements IA, 1B, IC can then be fixed, for example by means of bands or belts, over the projecting parts of the lateral connecting slats 3A, 3B, however, little downward force is exerted on the second element 1B.

If the vehicle in which the elements IA, 1B, IC are sitting now has to brake hard, great downward forces will be exerted on the feet 7 on the first side 8 of each of the elements IA, 1B, IC, which could collapse as a result. . Alternatively, elements IA, 1B, IC could fall with their charge.

The feet 7 on the second side 9 of all elements IA, IB, IC will thereby additionally experience upward forces, so be relieved and consequently have the tendency to rise.

These forces will initially be accompanied by slight deformations or movements of the elements IA, 1B, IC, which cause the protrusions 12, 15 of the elements IA, 1B, IC and the lateral connecting slats 3A, 3B to be placed adjacent elements IA, 1B, IC come together and can transfer the upward and downward forces to each other.

More specifically, downward forces from the first side 8 of the elements IA, 1B, IC are transferred to the second side 9 of another element IA, 1B, IC, so precisely where braking causes additional upward forces and vice versa. As a result, these forces are distributed over all elements IA, 1B, IC, so that the elements IA, 1B, IC stabilize each other, and the risk of the elements IA, 1B, IC falling over and / or collapsing is reduced.

The alternative element 1 of Figure 9 differs from the element 1 described above in that all the ribs 2 on both sides 8, 9 are provided with both first protrusions 12 and second protrusions 15.

The use of this alternative element 1 is similar to the element 1 described above, with the difference that elements 1 cannot subsequently be placed next to each other with a pallet truck 17, because protrusions 12, 15 then collide with a lateral connecting lath 3A, 3B.

This means that two elements 1 are first brought close together with a pallet truck 17 and then have to be pushed together as soon as they are at the same height. This appears to be no problem in practice. To facilitate this, the corners 18 of the protrusions are slightly rounded.

As is especially clear from Figure 10, the projections 12, 15 on a side 8, 9 are now located, both above and below a lateral connecting lath 3A, 3B of an adjacent element, whereby a better coupling and stabilization is obtained.

Various further alternative embodiments of the element described above are possible.

For example, the protrusions 12, 15 can be located on both sides 8, 9 above or on both sides 8, 9 below the connecting slats 3A, 3B.

This does not have immediate consequences for the stability obtained with side-by-side placement, but the placement by means of a pallet truck 17 becomes more difficult.

Also, the protrusions 12, 15 could not be located on the ribs 2, but on another part of the element 1, and the number of protrusions 12, 15 is not fixed. A single protrusion will also give an effect.

Also, the lateral connecting slats 3A, 3B, and therefore also the protrusions 12, 15, need not necessarily be at the same height on both sides 8, 9.

An embodiment in which one or more protrusions 12, 15 are only present on one side 8, 9 is possible.

The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described as examples and shown in the figures, but an element according to the invention can be realized in all shapes and sizes without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

Conclusions. Element (1) for storing, handling and transporting objects, which comprises two or more ribs (2) extending at a mutual distance in the width direction and the height direction, the element (1) being two opposite each other has sides (8, 9) both provided with a lateral connecting lath (3A, 3B) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the element (1), with at least one lateral connecting lath (3A, 3B) having an upper edge (10 ) which is at a first height (Hi) and has at least one lateral connecting lath (3A, 3B) a lower edge (11) which is at a second height (H2), the ribs (2) being connected by means of the connecting slats (3A, 3B) are connected to each other, characterized in that the element (1) is provided on one or both sides (8, 9) with one or more protrusions (12, 15) which are laterally outside the lateral connecting lath (3A, 3B) ) on that side (8,9) sticks or sticks and which one has or have a lower edge (14) at a third height (H3) that is greater than or equal to the first height (Hi) or has an upper edge (16) at a fourth height (H4) less than or equal to the second height (H2), so that when the element (1) is placed laterally against an identical element (1), a protrusion or protrusions (12, 15) are located above or below a lateral connecting lath (3A, 3B) of the identical element ( 1) is or are. Element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the difference between the third height (H3) and the first height (Hi) and / or the difference between the second height (H2) and the fourth height (H4) is smaller then 5 mm. Element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said one or more protrusions (12, 15) are or are located on one or more ribs (2). Element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said one or more protrusions (12, 15) is or are formed integrally with a rib or ribs (2). Element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said one or more protrusions (12, 15) protrudes laterally from the lateral connecting lath (3A, 3B) or protrudes over a distance (A) that is smaller or equal is twice the thickness (Dv) of the connecting slats (3A, 3B) but is greater than half the thickness (Dv) of the connecting slats (3A, 3B). Element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with one or more of the said projections (12, 15) on both sides (8, 9). Element (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the lateral connecting slats (3A, 3B) are placed on both sides (8, 9) at the same height and are of the same size, viewed in vertical section. Element (1) according to claims 6 or 7, characterized in that all said protrusions (12, 15) have a lower edge (14) at a third height (H3) that is greater than or equal to the first height (Hi) or all said protrusions (12, 15) have an upper edge (16) at a fourth height (H4) that is smaller than or equal to the second height (H2). Element (1) according to claims 6 or 7, characterized in that said protrusions (12) have a lower edge (14) on a first side (8) at a third height (H3) that is greater than or equal to the first height (Ηχ) of the top edge (10) of the connecting lath (3B) on a second, opposite side (9) and that said protrusions (15) on the second side (9) have a top edge (16) at a fourth height (H4) that is less than or equal to the second height (H2) of the lower edge (11) of the connecting lath (3A) on the first side (8). Element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the element (1) has at least two such protrusions (12, 15) on each side (8, 9) and that on each side (8, 9) at least one of the protrusions (12, 15) has a lower edge (14) at a third height (H3) that is greater than or equal to the first height (Ηχ) and at least one of the protrusions (12, 15) has an upper edge (16 ) has a fourth height (H4) that is less than or equal to the second height (H2). Element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the element (1) on each side (8, 9) where it has said one or more protrusions (12, 15) has at least two of such protrusions (12, 15) and that the protrusions (12, 15) on a particular side (8, 9) all have a lower edge (14) at a third height (H3) that is greater than or equal to the first height (Hi) or all have an upper edge (16) at a fourth height (H4) that is less than or equal to the second height (H2). Element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with a third connecting lath (3C) which connects the ribs (2), which is located between the two lateral connecting laths (3A, 3B) and extends parallel to it, the underside of the two lateral connecting slats (3A, 3B) and of the third connecting slat (3C) being at an equal height (H2). Element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ribs (2) each have a bearing edge (4) for supporting the objects downwards, the bearing edges (4) being in the same plane. Element (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the ribs (2) each have a supporting edge (5) for laterally supporting the objects, the supporting edges (15) being in the same plane and perpendicular to the bearing edges (4). Element (1) according to claims 13 and 14, characterized in that the ribs (2) each have two bearing edges (4), each having a slope, the slopes of these two bearing edges (4) being such that they make an upwardly directed angle with each other that is smaller than 180 °, and that the ribs (2) have a back part (6) on which there are two supporting edges (5) that are perpendicular to a bearing edge (4) of the same rib (2) . Element (1) according to claims 11 and 15, characterized in that the element is provided with a fourth connecting lath (3D) which connects the ribs (2) to each other, said fourth connecting lath (3D) being located in recesses in the supporting edges (5).