CA1242416A - Pallet dispenser - Google Patents
Pallet dispenserInfo
- Publication number
- CA1242416A CA1242416A CA000456252A CA456252A CA1242416A CA 1242416 A CA1242416 A CA 1242416A CA 000456252 A CA000456252 A CA 000456252A CA 456252 A CA456252 A CA 456252A CA 1242416 A CA1242416 A CA 1242416A
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- wheels
- sidewalls
- housing
- pallets
- bar members
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
Apparatus for storage and handling pallets is disclosed. A vertical housing capable of holding pallets in a vertical stack is equipped with openings to receive stacks of pallets and discharge pallets singly. Vertically arranged wheels are provided on opposing sidewalls of the housing which compress when pallets pass between them. The wheels are ganged to incrementally rotate on a selective basis, opposing wheels rotating in opposite directions.
Incremental rotation of the wheels dispenses pallets from the bottom of the stack. Straightening bars which are driven toward the interior of the housing tend to keep the pallets in stack alignment. A ram discharges dispensed pallets from the housing.
Apparatus for storage and handling pallets is disclosed. A vertical housing capable of holding pallets in a vertical stack is equipped with openings to receive stacks of pallets and discharge pallets singly. Vertically arranged wheels are provided on opposing sidewalls of the housing which compress when pallets pass between them. The wheels are ganged to incrementally rotate on a selective basis, opposing wheels rotating in opposite directions.
Incremental rotation of the wheels dispenses pallets from the bottom of the stack. Straightening bars which are driven toward the interior of the housing tend to keep the pallets in stack alignment. A ram discharges dispensed pallets from the housing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to dispensing and storage devices for empty pallets.
The handling of empty pallets has been largely a matter of manual labor in warehouses where empty pallets are stored in stacks and then distributed on a single or small number basis. In that situation, the worker needing a pallet must remove the palle-t from the stack, and if using a pallet trucX, the worker must deposit it on the floor to pick it up on the forks of the truck. Therefore, a worker with a riding pallet truck must dismount the truck, pull a pallet from the pallet stack and place it on the floor, remount the truck and collect the pallet. of course, the pallets must not be stacked higher than the worker can safely reach.
Previous attempts of pallet handling have been directed to the dispensing of pallets to a conveyor operation or to the loading of pallets. Some devices dispense individual pallets from a stack with star wheels, pawls, spoke wheels, or forks, as control devices. Each of these dispensing mechanisms requires heavy duty specially machined parts, precision control of dispensing rotation, as well as a ~roperly aligned stack of pallets. The alignment of the stack typically presents a problem because pallets are not precisioned manufactured parts, they are handled roughly in day-to-day use, and are made of serviceable, if not polished, materials.` In order to be properly dispensed, the alignment of the stack must be obtained. Alignment and ~2~
dispensing oE pallets frequently has required the use of complicated and expensive machinery requiring carefully and fre~uent calibration and maintenance. Fre~uently automation is involved with such machinery, thus adding to the expense, complexity and skill needed to operate and maintain the machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVE~TION
The present invention provides a pallet stacking bin which provides general alignment of pallets upon their entry into the bin. The invention also provides selective control of pallets to be dispensed rom the bin, as well as an optional discharge mechanism for ejectment of a pallet from the bin area. A stack straightening mechanism is provided to assist in effective dispensing of the lower most pallet of the stack. An open sided el.ongated housing is provided equipped with a flared housing opening. The housing is large enough to receive a vertical stack of pallets in approximate alignment, carried by a forklift truck.
Resilient wheels in sets are provided in the opposing sidewalls of the housing. Said wheels are mounted vertically and are selectively rotated in concert, toward the bottom of the housing. The common axle of each set of wheels is equipped with a plurality of non-circular plates, the corners of which engage pivoted bars during portions of the rotation of the axle. The engagement of the pivoted bars by the corners of the non-circular plates effectuates the encroachment of said bars into the pallet containing space of the housing. Said bars are fixed to the sidewalls of t~e housing ~t the upper ends ~f said bars with the l~wer ends of said bars free to move from a position essentially coplanar with the sidewall to a posi-tion within the housing.
An optional ram is provided at the bottom rear of the housing which at rest ls retracted outside of the pallet containing portion of the housing. The ram may be selectively operated to deliver a pallet resting on ~he floor of the housing from the open side of the housing and, if desired, onto the fork of a pallet truck.
It is an objective of the invention to provide an automatic pallet handling device which selectively dispenses si.ngle pallet~ from a large stack.
It is a further objective of the invention to provide a pallet storage housing which will receive pallets in stacks that are not in good alignment.
Xt is a ~urther objective of the invention to provide a pallet dispensing storage apparatus which will automatically align pallets remaining in the stack upon the dispensing of a pallet, It is a further ob~ective of the invention to provide a pallet dispensing mechanism which delivers a pallet onto the fork of a waiting pallet truck.~
It is a further objective o~ the invention to provide apparatus to allow a pallet truck operator to obtain a single pallet from a tall stack and load it onto the forks 01 of the operator's pallet truck without leaving the 02 pallet truck.
03 It is a further objective of the invention 04 to provide a pallet dispensing apparatus which may be 05 operated by a single, simple control.
06 It is a further objective of the invention 07 to provide a pallet dispensing apparatus available at 08 low cost with low maintenance costs and repairable 09 with readily available materials and parts.
It is a further objective of the invention 11 to provide a pallet handling apparatus having 12 simplicity of design which is economical in 13 installation and operation, which may be easily 14 incorporated in an existing warehousing operation, which does not require substantial additional training 16 for the employees of the warehouse and which is 17 compact and economical in space consumption.
18 In general, according to the present 19 invention there is provided apparatus for dispensing pallets, comprising a housing capable of holding 21 pallets in a vertical stack, openings being provided 22 in the housing to receive and discharge the pallets, 23 and the opening to receive the pallets being provided 24 with guides fastened thereto for aligning the stack of pallets, the housing comprising a pair of 26 substantially parallel, vertically arranged sidewalls, 27 the substantially parallel sidewalls spaced apart a 28 distance sufficient to pass a pallet between the 29 sidewalls, the sidewalls having a plurality of wheels mounted therewithin, each of the wheels having a hub 31 and an outer circumferential surface, the wheels 32 having substantially equal diameters, the wheels 33 mounted vertically to the sidewalls in opposing 34 fashion such that the circumferential surfaces of the wheels protrude into the housing, the wheels mounted 36 to the sidewall such that the distance between the 37 protrudi~g circumferential surfaces of the opposing 38 wheels is less than the width of a pallet to be 39 _ ~ _ t 01 dispensed, the wheels being sufficiently unyielding to 02 resist deflection when the ver-tical stack of pallets 03 rests upon the circumferential surfaces of the wheels, 04 the wheels being selectively, incrementally, 05 rotatable, the wheels are driven in ganged fashion, 06 the wheels on one of the sidewalls rotate in opposing 07 direction to ~he rotation of the wheels on the other 08 of the sidewalls, the wheels being sufficiently 09 radially deflectable to pass a pallet between opposing wheels when the wheels are driven, a motor to 11 selectively drive the wheels, a swi-tch to selectively 12 engage the motor to incrementally rotate the wheels.
13 According to a first alternative 14 embodiment of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for storing pallets in a vertical stack and 16 dispensing single pallets from the bottom of the 17 stack, the invention comprising: an elongated 18 vertical housing, the housing having a pair of 19 sidewalls and a rear wall, the sidewalls substantially parallel and spaced apart a fixed distance, the 21 sidewalls have outwardly directed extensions upon the 22 edges of the sidewalls opposite the rear wall, a pair 23 of axles mounted to the exterior of the housing, one 24 of the axles mounted to each of the parallel sidewalls, transversely, along the length of the 26 sidewalls, one or more openings in each of the 27 sidewalls, adjacent the axle mounted to the sidewall, 28 a plurality of wheels moun-ted and fixed at the hubs 29 thereof upon each of the axles, a portion of each of the wheels protruding through the openings in the 31 sidewalls, the axles ganged together and cooperatively 32 driven, the axles being driven in opposing directions, 33 the wheels on one axle oppose the wheels on the second 34 axle, the wheels having outer circumferences thereon, the outer circumferences engaging the lower edges of 36 the stack of pallets, the wheels having resilient 37 surfaces which are deflectable in a radial direction 38 when pallets pass between the wheels, the wheels being 39 - 4a ~
01 selectively, incrementally driven, a motor for 02 selectivel~ driving the axles, a switch for 03 selectively engaging the motor to incrementally rotate 04 the wheels.
05 According to a second alternative 06 embodiment of the presen-t invention, there is provided 07 apparatus for storing and selectively dispensing 08 pallets upon demand of a pallet truck operator, the 09 invention comprising: a vertically disposed housing capable of containing a stack of generally aligned, 11 horizontally positioned pallets, the housing having 12 opposing sidewalls with an opening therebetween for 13 receiving the stack of pallets and for discharging the 14 pallets, the sidewalls ha~ing outwardly angled extensions adjacent to the opening, the extensions 16 being sufficiently non-deflectable to force misaligned 17 pallets in a stack of pallets into general alignment, 18 each of the sidewalls having an axle transversely 19 fixed to the exterior thereof along the ver-tical length of the sidewall, each of the sidewalls having 21 openings therein adjacent the axle, each of the 22 sidewalls having a plurality of wheels disposed 23 vertically in the openings of the sidewalls and being 24 Eixed upon the axle, each of the wheels extending a substantially equal diametric distance into the 26 interior of the housing, each of the plurality of 27 wheels having a resilient surface on the circumference 28 thereof, the pluralities of wheels on the sidewalls 29 being opposingly arranged, the resilient surfaces of opposing wheels being spaced apart a distance less 31 than the width of a pallet, the resilient surfaces 32 being deflectable by a pallet being forcibly passed 33 between the wheels in the sidewalls when the wheels 34 are rotated, each of the plurality of wheels comprising a pair of wheels and a third wheel spaced 36 apart from the pair of wheels, a plurality of planar, 37 generally square cams mounted upon each of the axles 38 and fixed thereto in substan~ially identical - 4b -01 orientation, each of the sidewalls having a pair of 02 generally narrow cam receiving vertical openings 03 therein, the narrow vertical openings being generally 04 aligned with the planes of the cams, a pivoting bar 05 member pivotally movable within each of the narrow 06 vertical openings, the cams selectively engaging the 07 pivoting bar members as the axles are rotated, the bar 08 members being biased to return to substantially 09 vertical alignment when not engaged by the cams, the pivoting bar members being urged inwardly into the 11 housing upon the engagement of the cams with the bar 12 members, the bar members engaging the sides of a 13 pallet positioned above the wheels to center the 14 pallet within the housing, a motor for incrementally driving the axles simultaneously in opposing 16 rotations, the wheels rotating with the axles such 17 that the resilient surfaces thereof rotate downwardly 18 within the housing, a switch to selectively energize 19 the motor, the switch being accessible to the operator of a pallet truck without departure from the pallet 21 truck.
22 According to a third alternative 23 embodiment of the present invention, there is provided 24 apparatus Eor dispensing pallets, comprising: a housing capable of holding pallets in a vertical 26 stack, the housing comprising a pair of substantially 27 parallel, vertically arranged sidewalls, the 28 substantially parallel sidewalls spaced apart a 29 distance s~ficient to pass a pallet between the sidewalls, the sidewalls having a plurality of wheels 31 mounted therewithin, each of the wheels having a hub 32 and an outer circumferential surface, the wheels 33 having substantially equal diameters, the wheels 34 mounted vertically to the sidewalls in opposing fashion such that the circumferential surfaces o the 36 wheels protrude into the housing, the wheels mounted 37 to the sidewall such that the distance between the 38 protruding circumferential suraces of the opposing 39 - 4c 01 wheels is less than the width of a pallet to be 02 dispensed, -the wheels being sufficiently unyielding to 03 resist deflection when the ver-tical stack of pallets 04 rests upon the circumferential surfaces of the wheels, 05 the wheels being selectively, incrementally, 06 rotatable, the wheels are driven in ganged fashion, 07 the wheels on one oE the sidewalls rotate in opposing 08 direction to the rotation of the wheels on the other 09 of the sidewalls, the wheels being sufficiently radially deflectable to pass a pallet between opposing 11 wheels when the wheels are driven, a motor to 12 selectively drive the wheels, a switch to selectively 13 engage the motor to incrementally rotate the wheels, a 14 plurality of bar members is pivotally attached to the sidewalls, the bar members are substantially 16 vertically positioned, the bar members are attached to 17 the sidewalls in opposing fashion, the bar members are 18 pivotable such that the free ends of the bar members 19 are introduceable into the housing, the bar members are selectively, cooperatively introduced into the 21 housing, the bar members engage the sides of the 22 pallets resting upon the wheels, the bar members 23 engage the resting pallets when introduced into the 24 housing thereby urging the resting pallets into generally centered position over the wheels, 26 cam elements rotatingly cooperate with the wheels, a 27 cam element is provided for each of the bar members, 28 the cam elements selectively engage the bar members, 29 the engagement of the cam elements with the bar members urges the bar members into the housing.
31 According to a fourth alternative 32 embodiment of the present invention, there is provided 33 apparatus for dispensing pallets, comprising: a 34 housing capable of holding pallets in a vertical stack, the housing comprising a pair o-E substantially 36 parallel, vertically arranged sidewalls, the 37 substantially parallel sidewalls spaced apart a 38 distance sufficient to pass a pallet between the 39 - 4d -01 sidewalls, the sidewalls having a plurality of wheels 02 mounted therewithin, each of the wheels having a hub 03 and an outer circumferential surface, the wheels 04 having substantially equal diameters, the wheels 05 mounted vertically to the sidewalls in opposing 06 fashion such that the circum-ferential surfaces of the 07 wheels protrude into the housing, the wheels mounted 08 to the sidewall such that the distance between the 09 protruding circumferential surfaces of the opposing wheels is less than the width of a pallet to be 11 dispensed, the wheels being sufficiently unyielding to 12 resist deflection when the vertical stack of pallets 13 rests upon the circumferential surfaces of the wheels, 14 the wheels being selectively, incrementally, rotatable, the wheels are driven in ganged fashion, 16 the wheels on one of the sidewalls rotate in opposing 17 direction to the rotation of the wheels on the other 18 of the sidewalls, the wheels being su-fficiently 19 radially deElectable to pass a pallet between opposing wheels when the wheels are driven, a motor to 21 selectively drive the wheels, a switch to selectively 22 engage the motor to incrementally rotate the wheels, 23 openings in the housing are provided to receive and 24 discharge the pallets, the receiving opening comprises the opening between the sidewalls, the sidewalls have 26 outwardly angled extensions thereon adjacent to the 27 pallet receiving opening, the wheels are incrementally 28 rotatable in approximately 45 degree increments of 29 rotation, each oE the pluralities of wheels mounted to the sidewalls comprises a pair of wheels positioned 31 apart a distance slightly less than the depth of a 32 pallet and a third wheel positioned adjacent to one of 33 the pair of wheels, the plurality of wheels on one of 34 the sidewalls mirroring the plurality of wheels on the opposing sidewall, a plurality of bar members is 36 pivotally attached to the sidewalls, the bar members 37 are substantially vertically positioned, the bar 38 members are attached to the sidewalls in opposing 39 - 4e -~'~
,~
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01 fashion, the bar members are pivotable such that the 02 free ends of the bar members are introduceable into 03 the housing, the bar members are selectively, 04 cooperatively introduced into the housing, the bar 05 members engage the sides of the pallets resting upon 06 the wheels, the bar members engage the resting pallets 07 when introduced into the housing thereby urging the 08 resting pallets into generally centered position over 09 the wheels, cam elements rotatingly cooperate with the wheels, a cam element is provided for each of the bar 11 members, the cam elements selectively engage -the bar 12 members, the engagement of the cam elements with the 13 bar members urges the bar members into the housing.
14 These objectives and others will become readily apparent from the ensuing description of the 16 invention.
17 DESCRIPTION OF TE~E DRAWINGS
18 Figure 1 is a perspec~ive view of the 19 invention showing the anticipated position of a pallet ready to be collected from the invention.
21 Figure 2 is a front elevation of the 22 invention, partially cut away, showing the position of 23 initially loaded pallets and showing the straightening 24 bars in their straightening position.
Figure 3 is a front elevation of the 26 invention, 39 - 4f -partially cut away, showing pallets in the normal loading state with the straightening'bars in relaxed position.
Figure 4 is a right side view par-tially in section showing the pallet discharge mechanism and the pallet handling truck available to collect the discharged pallet.
Figure 5 is a rear view showing the driving mechanism of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVE~TION
Figure 1 discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention 2 in a perspective view. Housing 10 is a vertical enclosure with an opening provided to receive pallets. In the preferred embodiment, the opening is provided in housing 10 by excluding one wall. Housing 10 is generally symmetrical. Opposing sidewalls 12 and 14 join rear sidewall 16 at corners 18 and 20 respectively. Support 22 is provided to st.abilize sidewalls 12 and 14. Cover 11 rests atop sidewalls 12 and 14, and atop rear sidewall 16.
Opening 24 is sufficiently large so that housing 10 may receive pallets, or stacks thereof, in horiæontally arranged fashion. Sidewalls 12 and 14 are equipped with guides 26 and 28 respectively, at opening 24. Guides 26 and 28 comprise angled extensions of sidewalls 12 and 14 respectively, and serve to generally align a stack of pallets being inserted into housing 10. Rails 38 and 40 are fixed to sidewall 14. Bar 34 i~ attached to rails 38 and 40 by pin 42. Bar 34 is allowed to pivot around pin 42 and is forced to pivot toward the interior of housing 10 upon engagement of cam 44 therewith. Bars 30 and 32 are mounted and operated with respect to sidewall 12 in a simi~ar fashion to bars 34 and 36. In Figure 1, bars 30, 32, 34 and 36 are shown disposed toward the interior of housing 10 due to the positions of cam 44 and similar cams which cannot be seen on this view. Wheels 50, 52 and 54 are selectively driven in a counter-clockwise direction while wheels 51, 53 and 55 are driven in a clockwise direction, cooperatively with whe~l~ 50, 52 and 54. Wheel3 51, 53, 55, 50, 52 and 54 are all ~ubstantially deflectable and resilien~ at their outer surface~, and as shown, comprise rubber or neopren~
tires mounted on rigid rims.
Cam 44 is fixed to axle 46 which passes ~hrough wheels 50, 52 and 54, and is retained to housing 10 by bracket 47.
Axle 46 iB fixad to wheels 50, 52 and 54, at their centers, and rotates wheel~ 50, 52 and 54 with cam 44, and is driven by motor 56. ~he arrangement of this drive is discussed below in connection with Figure 5.
Bar 36 is pivotally attached to rails 39 and 41 at pin 43 and thereore to sidewall 14, in similar arrangement to the attach~ent o~ bar 34 to sidewall 14. A second cam . , .
~ub~tantially identical to cam 4~ is provided on the por~ion of axle 46 at the oppo~ing end of wheels 50, 52 and 54, to engage bar 36 when rotated. Frame 58 is mounted to sidewall 14 and adjoins rails 40 and 39, and is provided for attachment to shield 60 (shown partially cut away) thereto.
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Shield 60 is provided to protec-t operators ana bystanders from contact with moving parts.
A pallet 62 is shown in dashed lines, resting on b~se 64 of invention 2, in position to be thrus-t from housing 10 by ram 66. Ram 66 retracts into ram enclosure 68 when not actuated. Motor 5~ is mounted upon gear box 70 adjacent drive shield 72. Control unit 74 receives signals through signal transmission line 76 from switch box 78. Switch 80 is provided for actuation of motor 56 while switch 82 is provided to actuate ram 66. The location o~ switches 80 and 82 is not critical to operation of invention 2, and in use, switches 80 and 82 will be conveniently located for the expected user.
Figures 2 and 3 depict the details of the i~vention 2.
Figure 2 depicts the invention 2 at rest following insertion of pallets 62 therewithin. Figure 3 shows the invention 2 after one pallet 62a has been dropped to base 64. Referring -to both Figures 2 and 3, guide 28 of sidewall 14 is partially cut away to reveal the detail of cam 44, bracket 47, axle 46, bearing 88 and wheel 50. Bracket 47 retains bearing 88 through which passes axle 46. Cam 44 is fixed to axle 46, as is wheel 50 such that the angular rotation of cam 44 is equal to the angular rotation of wheel 50 at all times. Bar 34 is retained to sidewall 14 at pin 42 and may pivot toward the interior of housin~ 10. Similarly, bar 30 is retained to sidewall 12 by pin 142 and may pivot toward the interior of housing 10, in diametrically opposed fashion to bar 34. Also associated with sidewall 12 is whee~ 51 which rotates with axle 146 and with cam 45 which is fixed to axle 146. Axle 146 passes through bearing 188 and bracket 147 which is mounted to sidewall 12. Wheels 50 and 51 are operated in concert, in opposing directions of rotation. Wheel 51 rotates clockwise as viewed from ~he front of invention 2, and as shown by the direction of arrow ~, while wheel 50 rotates counter-clockwise as shown by arrow A. Motor 56 and gear box 70 are mounted to housing 10 toward the rear of said housing 10. Referring now particularly to Flgure 2, lowermost pallet 62a rests at its lower corners 84 and 85 on wheels 51 and 50. Cam 44 engages bar 34 at high point 90 of,cam 44. ~ikewise, cam 45 engages bar 30. Bars 30 and 34 engage pallet 62a and 62b to effect a centering tendency for pallets 62a and 62b within housing 10, and therefore bars 30 and 34 serve to align pallets 62b over pallet 62a. Such alignment of pallets 62a and 62b serve~ to enhance the operation of wheels 50 and 51 and selectively dropping pallets to ~he base of housing 10. In Figure 2, ram 66 can be reces~ed into opening 166 of rear sidewall 16.
Now referring to Figure 3, pallet 62a has been delivered to the base 64 of invention 2 adjacent ram 66 which is recessed into opening 166 of sidewall 16. Wheels 51 and 50 have each been rotated forty-five degrees such that high point 90 of cam 44 no longer engages bar 34 and ~ar 34 rests in position recessed into sidewall 14 and is , substantially parallel therewith. Pallet 62a has been passed between wheels 51 and So before being releas~d from the frictional grip of wheels 50 and 51 and dropping to base 64. Pallet 62b is held by frictional contact with wheels 50 and 51. Wheels 50 and 51 are each deflected due to the location of pallet 62b therebetween.
Figure 4 illustrates use of the ram 66 as part of the operation of invention 2. Ram 66 i5 driven by arm 102 from ram ~nclosure 68. Arm 102 xeciprocates within compression cylinder 104 upon operator ~election. Spring means may be employed to retract arm 102 into cylinder 104. In this Figure 4, ram 66 has been actuated to discharge pallet 162b from housing 10. Pallet 162b in turn has pushed pallet 16~a toward pallet truck 106. Ram 66 may be maintained in its actuated position while pallet truck 106 is operated in direction of arrow C to insert forks 108 of pallet truck 106 into pallets 162a and 162b. An operator of pallet truck 106 may remain on seat 110 of pallet truck 106, retaining control of tonyue 112 while pallets 162a and 162b are delivered by invention 2 for collection by pallet truck 106.
Guide 28 of sidewall 14 of housing 10 can be viewed in Figure 4. Shield 60 i5 mounted to sidewall 14 to cover moving parts. Motor 56 is shown mounted atop gear box 70.
Drive gear 120 depends from gear box 70 and is covered by drive shield 72. Fluid coupling 122 receives working fluid and redirect~ it through hoses 124 and 125 to fi~ting mount 126 of compression cylinder 104. In the preferred embodiment, the working fluid employed is compressed air which is chosen for its rapid transfer capabilities.
Figure 5 discloses details of the rear drive area of the invention 2. Motor 56 drives drive gear 120 which is interconnected to first sprocket 130 and second sprocket 132 by continuous chain 134. Due to the arrangements of chain 134, first sprocket 130 is driven in opposing direction to that of second sprocket 132. First sprocket 130 is fixed to axle 46 while second sprocket 132 is fixed to axle 146.
Idler 136 is provided to tension chain 134. Fluid coupling 122 is mounted to drive shield 72. Fittings 138 and 140 are mounted to fitting mount 126 of compression cylinder 104.
OPERATION OF THE INVENTION
In typical operation of invention 2, a stack of pallets is collected by the forks of a forklift truck and raised to a level above wheels 51, 53, 55, 50, 52 and 54 (as shown in Figure 1) and inserted into opening 24 of housing 10 and allowed to come to rest upon the upper portions of wheels 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55. Upon ope.rator control, motor 56 is briefly operated to drive chain 134 and thus rotate first sprocket 130 and second sprocket 132, as shown in Figure 5.
Because first sprocket 130 is mounted to axle 46 which passes through and is fixed to wheels 50, 52 and 54 and cam 44, the actuation of motor 56 causes counter-clockwise rotation of wheels 50, 52 and 54 when viewed from opening 24. Simultaneously, chain 134 rotates sprocket 132 which is mounted to axle 146. Because axle 146 passes through and is mounted to wheels 51, 53 and 55, the actuation of motor 56 causes wheels 51, 53 and 55 to rotate in a clockwise direction when viewed from opening 24. The cooperative ro-tation centrally and downward of wheels 50, 51 52, 53, 54 and 55, causes pallets 62 to pass between said wheels, deflecting them and holding pallets 62 in position until they are released from the frictional grasp of wheels 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55 upon sufficient rotation thereof.
Durin~ the rotation of wheels 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55, bars 30, 32, 34 and 36 are forced outwardly at their lower ends due to the cam action of cams 44 and 45, and like cams on the opposing end of axle 46 and 146. These inward movements of bars 30, 32, 34 and 36 effect centering forces on pallets 62 such that t~ey become aligned in a stacX as they approach their engagement by wheels 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55.
Once a pallet 62 has been delivered to the base 64 of invention 2, it may be selectively delivered from housing 10 by ram 66, upon the selection of the operator of invention
The present invention pertains to dispensing and storage devices for empty pallets.
The handling of empty pallets has been largely a matter of manual labor in warehouses where empty pallets are stored in stacks and then distributed on a single or small number basis. In that situation, the worker needing a pallet must remove the palle-t from the stack, and if using a pallet trucX, the worker must deposit it on the floor to pick it up on the forks of the truck. Therefore, a worker with a riding pallet truck must dismount the truck, pull a pallet from the pallet stack and place it on the floor, remount the truck and collect the pallet. of course, the pallets must not be stacked higher than the worker can safely reach.
Previous attempts of pallet handling have been directed to the dispensing of pallets to a conveyor operation or to the loading of pallets. Some devices dispense individual pallets from a stack with star wheels, pawls, spoke wheels, or forks, as control devices. Each of these dispensing mechanisms requires heavy duty specially machined parts, precision control of dispensing rotation, as well as a ~roperly aligned stack of pallets. The alignment of the stack typically presents a problem because pallets are not precisioned manufactured parts, they are handled roughly in day-to-day use, and are made of serviceable, if not polished, materials.` In order to be properly dispensed, the alignment of the stack must be obtained. Alignment and ~2~
dispensing oE pallets frequently has required the use of complicated and expensive machinery requiring carefully and fre~uent calibration and maintenance. Fre~uently automation is involved with such machinery, thus adding to the expense, complexity and skill needed to operate and maintain the machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVE~TION
The present invention provides a pallet stacking bin which provides general alignment of pallets upon their entry into the bin. The invention also provides selective control of pallets to be dispensed rom the bin, as well as an optional discharge mechanism for ejectment of a pallet from the bin area. A stack straightening mechanism is provided to assist in effective dispensing of the lower most pallet of the stack. An open sided el.ongated housing is provided equipped with a flared housing opening. The housing is large enough to receive a vertical stack of pallets in approximate alignment, carried by a forklift truck.
Resilient wheels in sets are provided in the opposing sidewalls of the housing. Said wheels are mounted vertically and are selectively rotated in concert, toward the bottom of the housing. The common axle of each set of wheels is equipped with a plurality of non-circular plates, the corners of which engage pivoted bars during portions of the rotation of the axle. The engagement of the pivoted bars by the corners of the non-circular plates effectuates the encroachment of said bars into the pallet containing space of the housing. Said bars are fixed to the sidewalls of t~e housing ~t the upper ends ~f said bars with the l~wer ends of said bars free to move from a position essentially coplanar with the sidewall to a posi-tion within the housing.
An optional ram is provided at the bottom rear of the housing which at rest ls retracted outside of the pallet containing portion of the housing. The ram may be selectively operated to deliver a pallet resting on ~he floor of the housing from the open side of the housing and, if desired, onto the fork of a pallet truck.
It is an objective of the invention to provide an automatic pallet handling device which selectively dispenses si.ngle pallet~ from a large stack.
It is a further objective of the invention to provide a pallet storage housing which will receive pallets in stacks that are not in good alignment.
Xt is a ~urther objective of the invention to provide a pallet dispensing storage apparatus which will automatically align pallets remaining in the stack upon the dispensing of a pallet, It is a further ob~ective of the invention to provide a pallet dispensing mechanism which delivers a pallet onto the fork of a waiting pallet truck.~
It is a further objective o~ the invention to provide apparatus to allow a pallet truck operator to obtain a single pallet from a tall stack and load it onto the forks 01 of the operator's pallet truck without leaving the 02 pallet truck.
03 It is a further objective of the invention 04 to provide a pallet dispensing apparatus which may be 05 operated by a single, simple control.
06 It is a further objective of the invention 07 to provide a pallet dispensing apparatus available at 08 low cost with low maintenance costs and repairable 09 with readily available materials and parts.
It is a further objective of the invention 11 to provide a pallet handling apparatus having 12 simplicity of design which is economical in 13 installation and operation, which may be easily 14 incorporated in an existing warehousing operation, which does not require substantial additional training 16 for the employees of the warehouse and which is 17 compact and economical in space consumption.
18 In general, according to the present 19 invention there is provided apparatus for dispensing pallets, comprising a housing capable of holding 21 pallets in a vertical stack, openings being provided 22 in the housing to receive and discharge the pallets, 23 and the opening to receive the pallets being provided 24 with guides fastened thereto for aligning the stack of pallets, the housing comprising a pair of 26 substantially parallel, vertically arranged sidewalls, 27 the substantially parallel sidewalls spaced apart a 28 distance sufficient to pass a pallet between the 29 sidewalls, the sidewalls having a plurality of wheels mounted therewithin, each of the wheels having a hub 31 and an outer circumferential surface, the wheels 32 having substantially equal diameters, the wheels 33 mounted vertically to the sidewalls in opposing 34 fashion such that the circumferential surfaces of the wheels protrude into the housing, the wheels mounted 36 to the sidewall such that the distance between the 37 protrudi~g circumferential surfaces of the opposing 38 wheels is less than the width of a pallet to be 39 _ ~ _ t 01 dispensed, the wheels being sufficiently unyielding to 02 resist deflection when the ver-tical stack of pallets 03 rests upon the circumferential surfaces of the wheels, 04 the wheels being selectively, incrementally, 05 rotatable, the wheels are driven in ganged fashion, 06 the wheels on one of the sidewalls rotate in opposing 07 direction to ~he rotation of the wheels on the other 08 of the sidewalls, the wheels being sufficiently 09 radially deflectable to pass a pallet between opposing wheels when the wheels are driven, a motor to 11 selectively drive the wheels, a swi-tch to selectively 12 engage the motor to incrementally rotate the wheels.
13 According to a first alternative 14 embodiment of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for storing pallets in a vertical stack and 16 dispensing single pallets from the bottom of the 17 stack, the invention comprising: an elongated 18 vertical housing, the housing having a pair of 19 sidewalls and a rear wall, the sidewalls substantially parallel and spaced apart a fixed distance, the 21 sidewalls have outwardly directed extensions upon the 22 edges of the sidewalls opposite the rear wall, a pair 23 of axles mounted to the exterior of the housing, one 24 of the axles mounted to each of the parallel sidewalls, transversely, along the length of the 26 sidewalls, one or more openings in each of the 27 sidewalls, adjacent the axle mounted to the sidewall, 28 a plurality of wheels moun-ted and fixed at the hubs 29 thereof upon each of the axles, a portion of each of the wheels protruding through the openings in the 31 sidewalls, the axles ganged together and cooperatively 32 driven, the axles being driven in opposing directions, 33 the wheels on one axle oppose the wheels on the second 34 axle, the wheels having outer circumferences thereon, the outer circumferences engaging the lower edges of 36 the stack of pallets, the wheels having resilient 37 surfaces which are deflectable in a radial direction 38 when pallets pass between the wheels, the wheels being 39 - 4a ~
01 selectively, incrementally driven, a motor for 02 selectivel~ driving the axles, a switch for 03 selectively engaging the motor to incrementally rotate 04 the wheels.
05 According to a second alternative 06 embodiment of the presen-t invention, there is provided 07 apparatus for storing and selectively dispensing 08 pallets upon demand of a pallet truck operator, the 09 invention comprising: a vertically disposed housing capable of containing a stack of generally aligned, 11 horizontally positioned pallets, the housing having 12 opposing sidewalls with an opening therebetween for 13 receiving the stack of pallets and for discharging the 14 pallets, the sidewalls ha~ing outwardly angled extensions adjacent to the opening, the extensions 16 being sufficiently non-deflectable to force misaligned 17 pallets in a stack of pallets into general alignment, 18 each of the sidewalls having an axle transversely 19 fixed to the exterior thereof along the ver-tical length of the sidewall, each of the sidewalls having 21 openings therein adjacent the axle, each of the 22 sidewalls having a plurality of wheels disposed 23 vertically in the openings of the sidewalls and being 24 Eixed upon the axle, each of the wheels extending a substantially equal diametric distance into the 26 interior of the housing, each of the plurality of 27 wheels having a resilient surface on the circumference 28 thereof, the pluralities of wheels on the sidewalls 29 being opposingly arranged, the resilient surfaces of opposing wheels being spaced apart a distance less 31 than the width of a pallet, the resilient surfaces 32 being deflectable by a pallet being forcibly passed 33 between the wheels in the sidewalls when the wheels 34 are rotated, each of the plurality of wheels comprising a pair of wheels and a third wheel spaced 36 apart from the pair of wheels, a plurality of planar, 37 generally square cams mounted upon each of the axles 38 and fixed thereto in substan~ially identical - 4b -01 orientation, each of the sidewalls having a pair of 02 generally narrow cam receiving vertical openings 03 therein, the narrow vertical openings being generally 04 aligned with the planes of the cams, a pivoting bar 05 member pivotally movable within each of the narrow 06 vertical openings, the cams selectively engaging the 07 pivoting bar members as the axles are rotated, the bar 08 members being biased to return to substantially 09 vertical alignment when not engaged by the cams, the pivoting bar members being urged inwardly into the 11 housing upon the engagement of the cams with the bar 12 members, the bar members engaging the sides of a 13 pallet positioned above the wheels to center the 14 pallet within the housing, a motor for incrementally driving the axles simultaneously in opposing 16 rotations, the wheels rotating with the axles such 17 that the resilient surfaces thereof rotate downwardly 18 within the housing, a switch to selectively energize 19 the motor, the switch being accessible to the operator of a pallet truck without departure from the pallet 21 truck.
22 According to a third alternative 23 embodiment of the present invention, there is provided 24 apparatus Eor dispensing pallets, comprising: a housing capable of holding pallets in a vertical 26 stack, the housing comprising a pair of substantially 27 parallel, vertically arranged sidewalls, the 28 substantially parallel sidewalls spaced apart a 29 distance s~ficient to pass a pallet between the sidewalls, the sidewalls having a plurality of wheels 31 mounted therewithin, each of the wheels having a hub 32 and an outer circumferential surface, the wheels 33 having substantially equal diameters, the wheels 34 mounted vertically to the sidewalls in opposing fashion such that the circumferential surfaces o the 36 wheels protrude into the housing, the wheels mounted 37 to the sidewall such that the distance between the 38 protruding circumferential suraces of the opposing 39 - 4c 01 wheels is less than the width of a pallet to be 02 dispensed, -the wheels being sufficiently unyielding to 03 resist deflection when the ver-tical stack of pallets 04 rests upon the circumferential surfaces of the wheels, 05 the wheels being selectively, incrementally, 06 rotatable, the wheels are driven in ganged fashion, 07 the wheels on one oE the sidewalls rotate in opposing 08 direction to the rotation of the wheels on the other 09 of the sidewalls, the wheels being sufficiently radially deflectable to pass a pallet between opposing 11 wheels when the wheels are driven, a motor to 12 selectively drive the wheels, a switch to selectively 13 engage the motor to incrementally rotate the wheels, a 14 plurality of bar members is pivotally attached to the sidewalls, the bar members are substantially 16 vertically positioned, the bar members are attached to 17 the sidewalls in opposing fashion, the bar members are 18 pivotable such that the free ends of the bar members 19 are introduceable into the housing, the bar members are selectively, cooperatively introduced into the 21 housing, the bar members engage the sides of the 22 pallets resting upon the wheels, the bar members 23 engage the resting pallets when introduced into the 24 housing thereby urging the resting pallets into generally centered position over the wheels, 26 cam elements rotatingly cooperate with the wheels, a 27 cam element is provided for each of the bar members, 28 the cam elements selectively engage the bar members, 29 the engagement of the cam elements with the bar members urges the bar members into the housing.
31 According to a fourth alternative 32 embodiment of the present invention, there is provided 33 apparatus for dispensing pallets, comprising: a 34 housing capable of holding pallets in a vertical stack, the housing comprising a pair o-E substantially 36 parallel, vertically arranged sidewalls, the 37 substantially parallel sidewalls spaced apart a 38 distance sufficient to pass a pallet between the 39 - 4d -01 sidewalls, the sidewalls having a plurality of wheels 02 mounted therewithin, each of the wheels having a hub 03 and an outer circumferential surface, the wheels 04 having substantially equal diameters, the wheels 05 mounted vertically to the sidewalls in opposing 06 fashion such that the circum-ferential surfaces of the 07 wheels protrude into the housing, the wheels mounted 08 to the sidewall such that the distance between the 09 protruding circumferential surfaces of the opposing wheels is less than the width of a pallet to be 11 dispensed, the wheels being sufficiently unyielding to 12 resist deflection when the vertical stack of pallets 13 rests upon the circumferential surfaces of the wheels, 14 the wheels being selectively, incrementally, rotatable, the wheels are driven in ganged fashion, 16 the wheels on one of the sidewalls rotate in opposing 17 direction to the rotation of the wheels on the other 18 of the sidewalls, the wheels being su-fficiently 19 radially deElectable to pass a pallet between opposing wheels when the wheels are driven, a motor to 21 selectively drive the wheels, a switch to selectively 22 engage the motor to incrementally rotate the wheels, 23 openings in the housing are provided to receive and 24 discharge the pallets, the receiving opening comprises the opening between the sidewalls, the sidewalls have 26 outwardly angled extensions thereon adjacent to the 27 pallet receiving opening, the wheels are incrementally 28 rotatable in approximately 45 degree increments of 29 rotation, each oE the pluralities of wheels mounted to the sidewalls comprises a pair of wheels positioned 31 apart a distance slightly less than the depth of a 32 pallet and a third wheel positioned adjacent to one of 33 the pair of wheels, the plurality of wheels on one of 34 the sidewalls mirroring the plurality of wheels on the opposing sidewall, a plurality of bar members is 36 pivotally attached to the sidewalls, the bar members 37 are substantially vertically positioned, the bar 38 members are attached to the sidewalls in opposing 39 - 4e -~'~
,~
?J~
01 fashion, the bar members are pivotable such that the 02 free ends of the bar members are introduceable into 03 the housing, the bar members are selectively, 04 cooperatively introduced into the housing, the bar 05 members engage the sides of the pallets resting upon 06 the wheels, the bar members engage the resting pallets 07 when introduced into the housing thereby urging the 08 resting pallets into generally centered position over 09 the wheels, cam elements rotatingly cooperate with the wheels, a cam element is provided for each of the bar 11 members, the cam elements selectively engage -the bar 12 members, the engagement of the cam elements with the 13 bar members urges the bar members into the housing.
14 These objectives and others will become readily apparent from the ensuing description of the 16 invention.
17 DESCRIPTION OF TE~E DRAWINGS
18 Figure 1 is a perspec~ive view of the 19 invention showing the anticipated position of a pallet ready to be collected from the invention.
21 Figure 2 is a front elevation of the 22 invention, partially cut away, showing the position of 23 initially loaded pallets and showing the straightening 24 bars in their straightening position.
Figure 3 is a front elevation of the 26 invention, 39 - 4f -partially cut away, showing pallets in the normal loading state with the straightening'bars in relaxed position.
Figure 4 is a right side view par-tially in section showing the pallet discharge mechanism and the pallet handling truck available to collect the discharged pallet.
Figure 5 is a rear view showing the driving mechanism of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVE~TION
Figure 1 discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention 2 in a perspective view. Housing 10 is a vertical enclosure with an opening provided to receive pallets. In the preferred embodiment, the opening is provided in housing 10 by excluding one wall. Housing 10 is generally symmetrical. Opposing sidewalls 12 and 14 join rear sidewall 16 at corners 18 and 20 respectively. Support 22 is provided to st.abilize sidewalls 12 and 14. Cover 11 rests atop sidewalls 12 and 14, and atop rear sidewall 16.
Opening 24 is sufficiently large so that housing 10 may receive pallets, or stacks thereof, in horiæontally arranged fashion. Sidewalls 12 and 14 are equipped with guides 26 and 28 respectively, at opening 24. Guides 26 and 28 comprise angled extensions of sidewalls 12 and 14 respectively, and serve to generally align a stack of pallets being inserted into housing 10. Rails 38 and 40 are fixed to sidewall 14. Bar 34 i~ attached to rails 38 and 40 by pin 42. Bar 34 is allowed to pivot around pin 42 and is forced to pivot toward the interior of housing 10 upon engagement of cam 44 therewith. Bars 30 and 32 are mounted and operated with respect to sidewall 12 in a simi~ar fashion to bars 34 and 36. In Figure 1, bars 30, 32, 34 and 36 are shown disposed toward the interior of housing 10 due to the positions of cam 44 and similar cams which cannot be seen on this view. Wheels 50, 52 and 54 are selectively driven in a counter-clockwise direction while wheels 51, 53 and 55 are driven in a clockwise direction, cooperatively with whe~l~ 50, 52 and 54. Wheel3 51, 53, 55, 50, 52 and 54 are all ~ubstantially deflectable and resilien~ at their outer surface~, and as shown, comprise rubber or neopren~
tires mounted on rigid rims.
Cam 44 is fixed to axle 46 which passes ~hrough wheels 50, 52 and 54, and is retained to housing 10 by bracket 47.
Axle 46 iB fixad to wheels 50, 52 and 54, at their centers, and rotates wheel~ 50, 52 and 54 with cam 44, and is driven by motor 56. ~he arrangement of this drive is discussed below in connection with Figure 5.
Bar 36 is pivotally attached to rails 39 and 41 at pin 43 and thereore to sidewall 14, in similar arrangement to the attach~ent o~ bar 34 to sidewall 14. A second cam . , .
~ub~tantially identical to cam 4~ is provided on the por~ion of axle 46 at the oppo~ing end of wheels 50, 52 and 54, to engage bar 36 when rotated. Frame 58 is mounted to sidewall 14 and adjoins rails 40 and 39, and is provided for attachment to shield 60 (shown partially cut away) thereto.
.
Shield 60 is provided to protec-t operators ana bystanders from contact with moving parts.
A pallet 62 is shown in dashed lines, resting on b~se 64 of invention 2, in position to be thrus-t from housing 10 by ram 66. Ram 66 retracts into ram enclosure 68 when not actuated. Motor 5~ is mounted upon gear box 70 adjacent drive shield 72. Control unit 74 receives signals through signal transmission line 76 from switch box 78. Switch 80 is provided for actuation of motor 56 while switch 82 is provided to actuate ram 66. The location o~ switches 80 and 82 is not critical to operation of invention 2, and in use, switches 80 and 82 will be conveniently located for the expected user.
Figures 2 and 3 depict the details of the i~vention 2.
Figure 2 depicts the invention 2 at rest following insertion of pallets 62 therewithin. Figure 3 shows the invention 2 after one pallet 62a has been dropped to base 64. Referring -to both Figures 2 and 3, guide 28 of sidewall 14 is partially cut away to reveal the detail of cam 44, bracket 47, axle 46, bearing 88 and wheel 50. Bracket 47 retains bearing 88 through which passes axle 46. Cam 44 is fixed to axle 46, as is wheel 50 such that the angular rotation of cam 44 is equal to the angular rotation of wheel 50 at all times. Bar 34 is retained to sidewall 14 at pin 42 and may pivot toward the interior of housin~ 10. Similarly, bar 30 is retained to sidewall 12 by pin 142 and may pivot toward the interior of housing 10, in diametrically opposed fashion to bar 34. Also associated with sidewall 12 is whee~ 51 which rotates with axle 146 and with cam 45 which is fixed to axle 146. Axle 146 passes through bearing 188 and bracket 147 which is mounted to sidewall 12. Wheels 50 and 51 are operated in concert, in opposing directions of rotation. Wheel 51 rotates clockwise as viewed from ~he front of invention 2, and as shown by the direction of arrow ~, while wheel 50 rotates counter-clockwise as shown by arrow A. Motor 56 and gear box 70 are mounted to housing 10 toward the rear of said housing 10. Referring now particularly to Flgure 2, lowermost pallet 62a rests at its lower corners 84 and 85 on wheels 51 and 50. Cam 44 engages bar 34 at high point 90 of,cam 44. ~ikewise, cam 45 engages bar 30. Bars 30 and 34 engage pallet 62a and 62b to effect a centering tendency for pallets 62a and 62b within housing 10, and therefore bars 30 and 34 serve to align pallets 62b over pallet 62a. Such alignment of pallets 62a and 62b serve~ to enhance the operation of wheels 50 and 51 and selectively dropping pallets to ~he base of housing 10. In Figure 2, ram 66 can be reces~ed into opening 166 of rear sidewall 16.
Now referring to Figure 3, pallet 62a has been delivered to the base 64 of invention 2 adjacent ram 66 which is recessed into opening 166 of sidewall 16. Wheels 51 and 50 have each been rotated forty-five degrees such that high point 90 of cam 44 no longer engages bar 34 and ~ar 34 rests in position recessed into sidewall 14 and is , substantially parallel therewith. Pallet 62a has been passed between wheels 51 and So before being releas~d from the frictional grip of wheels 50 and 51 and dropping to base 64. Pallet 62b is held by frictional contact with wheels 50 and 51. Wheels 50 and 51 are each deflected due to the location of pallet 62b therebetween.
Figure 4 illustrates use of the ram 66 as part of the operation of invention 2. Ram 66 i5 driven by arm 102 from ram ~nclosure 68. Arm 102 xeciprocates within compression cylinder 104 upon operator ~election. Spring means may be employed to retract arm 102 into cylinder 104. In this Figure 4, ram 66 has been actuated to discharge pallet 162b from housing 10. Pallet 162b in turn has pushed pallet 16~a toward pallet truck 106. Ram 66 may be maintained in its actuated position while pallet truck 106 is operated in direction of arrow C to insert forks 108 of pallet truck 106 into pallets 162a and 162b. An operator of pallet truck 106 may remain on seat 110 of pallet truck 106, retaining control of tonyue 112 while pallets 162a and 162b are delivered by invention 2 for collection by pallet truck 106.
Guide 28 of sidewall 14 of housing 10 can be viewed in Figure 4. Shield 60 i5 mounted to sidewall 14 to cover moving parts. Motor 56 is shown mounted atop gear box 70.
Drive gear 120 depends from gear box 70 and is covered by drive shield 72. Fluid coupling 122 receives working fluid and redirect~ it through hoses 124 and 125 to fi~ting mount 126 of compression cylinder 104. In the preferred embodiment, the working fluid employed is compressed air which is chosen for its rapid transfer capabilities.
Figure 5 discloses details of the rear drive area of the invention 2. Motor 56 drives drive gear 120 which is interconnected to first sprocket 130 and second sprocket 132 by continuous chain 134. Due to the arrangements of chain 134, first sprocket 130 is driven in opposing direction to that of second sprocket 132. First sprocket 130 is fixed to axle 46 while second sprocket 132 is fixed to axle 146.
Idler 136 is provided to tension chain 134. Fluid coupling 122 is mounted to drive shield 72. Fittings 138 and 140 are mounted to fitting mount 126 of compression cylinder 104.
OPERATION OF THE INVENTION
In typical operation of invention 2, a stack of pallets is collected by the forks of a forklift truck and raised to a level above wheels 51, 53, 55, 50, 52 and 54 (as shown in Figure 1) and inserted into opening 24 of housing 10 and allowed to come to rest upon the upper portions of wheels 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55. Upon ope.rator control, motor 56 is briefly operated to drive chain 134 and thus rotate first sprocket 130 and second sprocket 132, as shown in Figure 5.
Because first sprocket 130 is mounted to axle 46 which passes through and is fixed to wheels 50, 52 and 54 and cam 44, the actuation of motor 56 causes counter-clockwise rotation of wheels 50, 52 and 54 when viewed from opening 24. Simultaneously, chain 134 rotates sprocket 132 which is mounted to axle 146. Because axle 146 passes through and is mounted to wheels 51, 53 and 55, the actuation of motor 56 causes wheels 51, 53 and 55 to rotate in a clockwise direction when viewed from opening 24. The cooperative ro-tation centrally and downward of wheels 50, 51 52, 53, 54 and 55, causes pallets 62 to pass between said wheels, deflecting them and holding pallets 62 in position until they are released from the frictional grasp of wheels 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55 upon sufficient rotation thereof.
Durin~ the rotation of wheels 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55, bars 30, 32, 34 and 36 are forced outwardly at their lower ends due to the cam action of cams 44 and 45, and like cams on the opposing end of axle 46 and 146. These inward movements of bars 30, 32, 34 and 36 effect centering forces on pallets 62 such that t~ey become aligned in a stacX as they approach their engagement by wheels 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55.
Once a pallet 62 has been delivered to the base 64 of invention 2, it may be selectively delivered from housing 10 by ram 66, upon the selection of the operator of invention
2. A pallet truck operator may actuate wheels 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55 to deliver a pallet to the base of invention 2 and may then actuate ram 66 to force the pallet out of housing 10 and onto the forks of the operator's pallet truck. Such activity can be accomplished in a serial fashion until sufficient pallets are delivered by ram 66 from housing 10.
Claims (19)
1. Apparatus for dispensing pallets, comprising a housing capable of holding pallets in a vertical stack, openings being provided in said housing to receive and discharge said pallets, and said opening to receive said pallets being provided with guides fastened thereto for aligning said stack of pallets, said housing comprising a pair of substantially parallel, vertically arranged sidewalls, said substantially parallel sidewalls spaced apart a distance sufficient to pass a pallet between said sidewalls, said sidewalls having a plurality of wheels mounted therewithin, each of said wheels having a hub and an outer circumferential surface, said wheels having substantially equal diameters, said wheels mounted vertically to said sidewalls in opposing fashion such that said circumferential surfaces of said wheels protrude into said housing, said wheels mounted to said sidewall such that the distance between the protruding circumferential surfaces of said opposing wheels is less than the width of a pallet to be dispensed, said wheels being sufficiently unyielding to resist deflection when the vertical stack of pallets rests upon the circumferential surfaces of said wheels, said wheels being selectively, incrementally, rotatable, said wheels are driven in ganged fashion, said wheels on one of said sidewalls rotate in opposing direction to the rotation of the wheels on the other of said sidewalls, said wheels being sufficiently radially deflectable to pass a pallet between opposing wheels when said wheels are driven, a motor to selectively drive said wheels, a switch to selectively engage said motor to incrementally rotate said wheels.
2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said receiving opening of said housing comprises the opening between said sidewalls, said sidewalls have angular extensions thereon adjacent the pallet receiving opening, said extensions extend outwardly from said opening.
3. The invention of claim 1 wherein a pushing member is selectively positioned to said housing, said pushing member selectively traverses said housing toward said discharge opening.
4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said housing has a bottom whereupon said pallets drop from said wheels, said pushing member is a ram member, said ram member selectively reciprocates within the bottom of said housing, said ram member selectively pushes said pallets from said housing.
5. The invention of claim 1 wherein a plurality of bar members are provided attached to said sidewalls, said bar members are substantially vertically positioned to said sidewalls and fixed to said sidewalls at one end of said bar members, said bar members are selectively introduced into said housing, said bar members engage said stack of pallets when introduced into said housing, said bar members are paired such that a bar member on one of said sidewalls opposes a bar member on the other of said sidewalls, said opposing pairs of bar members are cooperatively introduced into said housing.
6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said bar members pivot about their attachment to said sidewalls.
7. The invention of claim 5 wherein cam elements rotatingly cooperate with said wheels, a cam element is provided for each of said bar members, said cam elements selectively engage said bar members, the engagement of said cam elements deflects said bar members into said housing.
8. Apparatus for storing pallets in a vertical stack and dispensing single pallets from the bottom of the stack, the invention comprising:
an elongated vertical housing, said housing having a pair of sidewalls and a rear wall, said sidewalls substantially parallel and spaced apart a fixed distance, said sidewalls have outwardly directed extensions upon the edges of said sidewalls opposite said rear wall, a pair of axles mounted to the exterior of said housing, one of said axles mounted to each of said parallel sidewalls, transversely, along the length of said sidewalls, one or more openings in each of said sidewalls, adjacent the axle mounted to said sidewall, a plurality of wheels mounted and fixed at the hubs thereof upon each of said axles, a portion of each of said wheels protruding through said openings in said sidewalls, said axles ganged together and cooperatively driven, said axles being driven in opposing directions, said wheels on one axle oppose the wheels on said second axle, said wheels having outer circumferences thereon, said outer circumferences engaging the lower edges of said stack of pallets, said wheels being resilient surfaces which are deflectable in a radial direction when pallets pass between said wheels, said wheels being selectively, incrementally driven, a motor for selectively driving said axles, a switch for selectively engaging said motor to incrementally rotate said wheels.
an elongated vertical housing, said housing having a pair of sidewalls and a rear wall, said sidewalls substantially parallel and spaced apart a fixed distance, said sidewalls have outwardly directed extensions upon the edges of said sidewalls opposite said rear wall, a pair of axles mounted to the exterior of said housing, one of said axles mounted to each of said parallel sidewalls, transversely, along the length of said sidewalls, one or more openings in each of said sidewalls, adjacent the axle mounted to said sidewall, a plurality of wheels mounted and fixed at the hubs thereof upon each of said axles, a portion of each of said wheels protruding through said openings in said sidewalls, said axles ganged together and cooperatively driven, said axles being driven in opposing directions, said wheels on one axle oppose the wheels on said second axle, said wheels having outer circumferences thereon, said outer circumferences engaging the lower edges of said stack of pallets, said wheels being resilient surfaces which are deflectable in a radial direction when pallets pass between said wheels, said wheels being selectively, incrementally driven, a motor for selectively driving said axles, a switch for selectively engaging said motor to incrementally rotate said wheels.
9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said wheels are rubber tires mounted on rigid rims.
10. The invention of claim 8 wherein said housing has a base whereupon dispensed pallets fall, a ram member is mounted adjacent said bottom of said housing at the rear thereof, said ram member is selectively introduced into said housing at the base thereof.
11. The invention of claim 10 wherein said ram member is introduced into said housing by compression force of a working fluid.
12. The invention of claim 11 wherein said working fluid is compressed air.
13. The invention of claim 8 wherein said surfaces of said wheels communicate with said pallets with sufficient friction to suspend one of said pallets between said wheels.
14. The invention of claim 10 wherein a compressed air supply is provided to operate said ram member, a compressed air working cylinder introduces said ram into said housing, a second switch is provided to selectively discharge compressed air to said working cylinder.
15. The invention of claim 8 wherein each of said sidewalls has a plurality of bar members attached thereto, said bar members are fixed to said sidewalls in vertical arrangement, said bar members are fixed to said ends thereof to said sidewalls, each bar members have a free end opposite the end fixed to said sidewall, said bar members are arranged in opposing pairs, said bar members pivot about the upper ends thereof, said free ends of said bar members are selectively introduced into said housing, said pair of bar members operate cooperatively, said bar members engage said stack of pallets when introduced into said housing.
16. The invention of claim 15 wherein said bar members are positioned adjacent said wheels said cam elements are fixed to said axles, said cam elements selectively engage said bar members, said cam elements introduce said bar members into said housing when said cam elements engage said bar members.
17. Apparatus for storing and selectively dispensing pallets upon demand of a pallet truck operator, the invention comprising:
a vertically disposed housing capable of containing a stack of generally aligned, horizontally positioned pallets, said housing having opposing sidewalls with an opening therebetween for receiving said stack of pallets and for discharging said pallets, said sidewalls having outwardly angled extensions adjacent to the opening, said extensions being sufficiently non-deflectable to force misaligned pallets in a stack of pallets into general alignment, each of said sidewalls having an axle transversely fixed to the exterior thereof along the vertical length of the sidewall, each of said sidewalls having openings therein adjacent said axle, each of said sidewalls having a plurality of wheels disposed vertically in said openings of said sidewalls and being fixed upon said axle, each of said wheels extending a substantially equal diametric distance into the interior of said housing, each of said plurality of wheels having a resilient surface on the circumference thereof, said pluralities of wheels on said sidewalls being opposingly arranged, the resilient surfaces of opposing wheels being spaced apart a distance less than the width of a pallet, said resilient surfaces being deflectable by a pallet being forcibly passed between said wheels in said sidewalls when said wheels are rotated, each of said plurality of wheels comprising a pair of wheels and a third wheel spaced apart from said pair of wheels, a plurality of planar, generally square cams mounted upon each of said axles and fixed thereto in substantially identical orientation, each of said sidewalls having a pair of generally narrow cam receiving vertical openings therein, said narrow vertical openings being generally aligned with the planes of said cams, a pivoting bar member pivotally movable within each of said narrow vertical openings said cams selectively engaging said pivoting bar members as said axles are rotated, said bar members being biased to return to substantially vertical alignment when not engaged by said cams, said pivoting bar members being urged inwardly into said housing upon the engagement of said cams with said bar members, said bar members engaging the sides of a pallet positioned above the wheels to center said pallet within said housing, a motor for incrementally driving said axles simultaneously in opposing rotations, said wheels rotating with said axles such that the resilient surfaces thereof rotate downwardly within said housing, a switch to selectively energize said motor, said switch being accessible to the operator of a pallet truck without departure from said pallet truck.
a vertically disposed housing capable of containing a stack of generally aligned, horizontally positioned pallets, said housing having opposing sidewalls with an opening therebetween for receiving said stack of pallets and for discharging said pallets, said sidewalls having outwardly angled extensions adjacent to the opening, said extensions being sufficiently non-deflectable to force misaligned pallets in a stack of pallets into general alignment, each of said sidewalls having an axle transversely fixed to the exterior thereof along the vertical length of the sidewall, each of said sidewalls having openings therein adjacent said axle, each of said sidewalls having a plurality of wheels disposed vertically in said openings of said sidewalls and being fixed upon said axle, each of said wheels extending a substantially equal diametric distance into the interior of said housing, each of said plurality of wheels having a resilient surface on the circumference thereof, said pluralities of wheels on said sidewalls being opposingly arranged, the resilient surfaces of opposing wheels being spaced apart a distance less than the width of a pallet, said resilient surfaces being deflectable by a pallet being forcibly passed between said wheels in said sidewalls when said wheels are rotated, each of said plurality of wheels comprising a pair of wheels and a third wheel spaced apart from said pair of wheels, a plurality of planar, generally square cams mounted upon each of said axles and fixed thereto in substantially identical orientation, each of said sidewalls having a pair of generally narrow cam receiving vertical openings therein, said narrow vertical openings being generally aligned with the planes of said cams, a pivoting bar member pivotally movable within each of said narrow vertical openings said cams selectively engaging said pivoting bar members as said axles are rotated, said bar members being biased to return to substantially vertical alignment when not engaged by said cams, said pivoting bar members being urged inwardly into said housing upon the engagement of said cams with said bar members, said bar members engaging the sides of a pallet positioned above the wheels to center said pallet within said housing, a motor for incrementally driving said axles simultaneously in opposing rotations, said wheels rotating with said axles such that the resilient surfaces thereof rotate downwardly within said housing, a switch to selectively energize said motor, said switch being accessible to the operator of a pallet truck without departure from said pallet truck.
18. Apparatus for dispensing pallets, comprising:
a housing capable of holding pallets in a vertical stack, said housing comprising a pair of substantially parallel, vertically arranged sidewalls, said substantially parallel sidewalls spaced apart a distance sufficient to pass a pallet between said sidewalls, said sidewalls having a plurality of wheels mounted therewithin, each of said wheels having a hub and an outer circumferential surface, said wheels having substantially equal diameters, said wheels mounted vertically to said sidewalls in opposing fashion such that said circumferential surfaces of said wheels protrude into said housing, said wheels mounted to said sidewall such that the distance between the protruding circumferential surfaces of said opposing wheels is less than the width of a pallet to be dispensed, said wheels being sufficiently unyielding to resist deflection when the vertical stack of pallets rests upon the circumferential surfaces of said wheels, said wheels being selectively, incrementally, rotatable, said wheels are driven in ganged fashion, said wheels on one of said sidewalls rotate in opposing direction to the rotation of the wheels on the other of said sidewalls, said wheels being sufficiently radially deflectable to pass a pallet between opposing wheels when said wheels are driven, a motor to selectively drive said wheels, a switch to selectively engage said motor to incrementally rotate said wheels, a plurality of bar members is pivotally attached to said sidewalls, said bar members are substantially vertically positioned, said bar members are attached to said sidewalls in opposing fashion, said bar members are pivotable such that the free ends of said bar members are introduceable into said housing, said bar members are selectively, cooperatively introduced into said housing, said bar members engage the sides of said pallets resting upon said wheels, said bar members engage said resting pallets when introduced into said housing thereby urging said resting pallets into generally centered position over said wheels, cam elements rotatingly cooperate with said wheels, a cam element is provided for each of said bar members, said cam elements selectively engage said bar members, the engagement of said cam elements with said bar members urges said bar members into said housing.
a housing capable of holding pallets in a vertical stack, said housing comprising a pair of substantially parallel, vertically arranged sidewalls, said substantially parallel sidewalls spaced apart a distance sufficient to pass a pallet between said sidewalls, said sidewalls having a plurality of wheels mounted therewithin, each of said wheels having a hub and an outer circumferential surface, said wheels having substantially equal diameters, said wheels mounted vertically to said sidewalls in opposing fashion such that said circumferential surfaces of said wheels protrude into said housing, said wheels mounted to said sidewall such that the distance between the protruding circumferential surfaces of said opposing wheels is less than the width of a pallet to be dispensed, said wheels being sufficiently unyielding to resist deflection when the vertical stack of pallets rests upon the circumferential surfaces of said wheels, said wheels being selectively, incrementally, rotatable, said wheels are driven in ganged fashion, said wheels on one of said sidewalls rotate in opposing direction to the rotation of the wheels on the other of said sidewalls, said wheels being sufficiently radially deflectable to pass a pallet between opposing wheels when said wheels are driven, a motor to selectively drive said wheels, a switch to selectively engage said motor to incrementally rotate said wheels, a plurality of bar members is pivotally attached to said sidewalls, said bar members are substantially vertically positioned, said bar members are attached to said sidewalls in opposing fashion, said bar members are pivotable such that the free ends of said bar members are introduceable into said housing, said bar members are selectively, cooperatively introduced into said housing, said bar members engage the sides of said pallets resting upon said wheels, said bar members engage said resting pallets when introduced into said housing thereby urging said resting pallets into generally centered position over said wheels, cam elements rotatingly cooperate with said wheels, a cam element is provided for each of said bar members, said cam elements selectively engage said bar members, the engagement of said cam elements with said bar members urges said bar members into said housing.
19. Apparatus for dispensing pallets, comprising:
a housing capable of holding pallets in a vertical stack, said housing comprising a pair of substantially parallel, vertically arranged sidewalls, said substantially parallel sidewalls spaced apart a distance sufficient to pass a pallet between said sidewalls, said sidewalls having a plurality of wheels mounted therewithin, each of said wheels having a hub and an outer circumferential surface, said wheels having substantially equal diameters, said wheels mounted vertically to said sidewalls in opposing fashion such that said circumferential surfaces of said wheels protrude into said housing, said wheels mounted to said sidewall such that the distance between the protruding circumferential surfaces of said opposing wheels is less than the width of a pallet to be dispensed, said wheels being sufficiently unyielding to resist deflection when the vertical stack of pallets rests upon the circumferential surfaces of said wheels, said wheels being selectively, incrementally, rotatable, said wheels are driven in ganged fashion, said wheels on one of said sidewalls rotate in opposing direction to the rotation of the wheels on the other of said sidewalls, said wheels being sufficiently radially deflectable to pass a pallet between opposing wheels when said wheels are driven, a motor to selectively drive said wheels, a switch to selectively engage said motor means to incrementally rotate said wheels, openings in said housing are provided to receive and discharge said pallets, said receiving opening comprises the opening between said sidewalls, said sidewalls have outwardly angled extensions thereon adjacent to the pallet receiving opening, said wheels are incrementally rotatable in approximately 45 degree increments of rotation, each of said pluralities of wheels mounted to said sidewalls comprises a pair of wheels positioned apart a distance slightly less than the depth of a pallet and a third wheel positioned adjacent to one of the pair of wheels, said plurality of wheels on one of said sidewalls mirroring the plurality of wheels on the opposing sidewall, a plurality of bar members is pivotally attached to said sidewalls, said bar members are substantially vertically positioned, said bar members are attached to said sidewalls in opposing fashion, said bar members are pivotable such that the free ends of said bar members are introduceable into said housing, said bar members are selectively, cooperatively introduced into said housing, said bar members engage the sides of said pallets resting upon said wheels, said bar members engage said resting pallets when introduced into said housing thereby urging said resting pallets into generally centered position over said wheels, cam elements rotatingly cooperate with said wheels, a cam element is provided for each of said bar members, said cam elements selectively engage said bar members, the engagement of said cam elements with said bar members urges said bar members into said housing.
a housing capable of holding pallets in a vertical stack, said housing comprising a pair of substantially parallel, vertically arranged sidewalls, said substantially parallel sidewalls spaced apart a distance sufficient to pass a pallet between said sidewalls, said sidewalls having a plurality of wheels mounted therewithin, each of said wheels having a hub and an outer circumferential surface, said wheels having substantially equal diameters, said wheels mounted vertically to said sidewalls in opposing fashion such that said circumferential surfaces of said wheels protrude into said housing, said wheels mounted to said sidewall such that the distance between the protruding circumferential surfaces of said opposing wheels is less than the width of a pallet to be dispensed, said wheels being sufficiently unyielding to resist deflection when the vertical stack of pallets rests upon the circumferential surfaces of said wheels, said wheels being selectively, incrementally, rotatable, said wheels are driven in ganged fashion, said wheels on one of said sidewalls rotate in opposing direction to the rotation of the wheels on the other of said sidewalls, said wheels being sufficiently radially deflectable to pass a pallet between opposing wheels when said wheels are driven, a motor to selectively drive said wheels, a switch to selectively engage said motor means to incrementally rotate said wheels, openings in said housing are provided to receive and discharge said pallets, said receiving opening comprises the opening between said sidewalls, said sidewalls have outwardly angled extensions thereon adjacent to the pallet receiving opening, said wheels are incrementally rotatable in approximately 45 degree increments of rotation, each of said pluralities of wheels mounted to said sidewalls comprises a pair of wheels positioned apart a distance slightly less than the depth of a pallet and a third wheel positioned adjacent to one of the pair of wheels, said plurality of wheels on one of said sidewalls mirroring the plurality of wheels on the opposing sidewall, a plurality of bar members is pivotally attached to said sidewalls, said bar members are substantially vertically positioned, said bar members are attached to said sidewalls in opposing fashion, said bar members are pivotable such that the free ends of said bar members are introduceable into said housing, said bar members are selectively, cooperatively introduced into said housing, said bar members engage the sides of said pallets resting upon said wheels, said bar members engage said resting pallets when introduced into said housing thereby urging said resting pallets into generally centered position over said wheels, cam elements rotatingly cooperate with said wheels, a cam element is provided for each of said bar members, said cam elements selectively engage said bar members, the engagement of said cam elements with said bar members urges said bar members into said housing.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US58299084A | 1984-02-24 | 1984-02-24 | |
| US582,990 | 1984-02-24 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1242416A true CA1242416A (en) | 1988-09-27 |
Family
ID=24331239
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000456252A Expired CA1242416A (en) | 1984-02-24 | 1984-06-08 | Pallet dispenser |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1242416A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111449322A (en) * | 2020-04-15 | 2020-07-28 | 伟柏智能装备(浙江)有限公司 | Automatic change gauze mask point earphone |
-
1984
- 1984-06-08 CA CA000456252A patent/CA1242416A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111449322A (en) * | 2020-04-15 | 2020-07-28 | 伟柏智能装备(浙江)有限公司 | Automatic change gauze mask point earphone |
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