CN116802081A - Conveyor sheet and conveyor mat with such conveyor sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a conveyor mat for a conveyor mat, wherein the conveyor mat is configured for conveying a load in a conveying direction extending between a first end and a second end of the conveyor mat, the conveyor mat comprising an elongated mat body having a first end and a second end, the second end being opposite to the first end in a longitudinal direction of the mat body, and a friction profile; a friction profile is provided at the upper surface of the lamellar body and extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the lamellar body, wherein the friction profile is configured for increasing the coefficient of friction between the conveyor lamellar and a load placed on the conveyor lamellar.

Description

Conveyor sheet and conveyor mat with such conveyor sheet

Technical Field

The invention relates to a conveyor mat for a conveyor mat, wherein the conveyor mat is configured for conveying a load in a conveying direction, which extends between a first end and a second end of the conveyor mat. Furthermore, the invention relates to a conveyor pan. The invention also relates to a cargo space and/or a trailer provided with a conveyor pan.

Background

A conveyor floor is known, for example, from patent document GB 327772. Known conveyor mats include slats or plates mounted on a continuous chain. The chain runs on rails on each side of the vehicle and the plates are carried by bracket members mounted on pivot pins of the chain. The guide rail is formed on a longitudinal channel member carried by a bracket on the chassis. The plate is fixed to the upper run of the continuous chain and the bottom plate is moved towards the rear by an operating manual gear. The plate may be supported at a mid-point of its length by rollers mounted on the chassis. The plates may be hinged together, they may overlap, and they may be constructed from sheet metal.

Disclosure of Invention

During use of the known conveyor mat, a load placed on top of the conveyor mat and located in the trailer needs to be fixed in order to prevent the load from moving in the trailer, for example due to acceleration or braking of the trailer. Typically, the load is secured to the walls of the trailer by means of one or more cargo beams, one or more strapping bands, or a combination thereof. A disadvantage of using cargo beams and/or strapping is that it is often cumbersome to find a suitable location within the trailer to attach the cargo beams and/or strapping such that the load is sufficiently secured and the cargo beams and/or strapping do not damage the load.

It is an object of the present invention to ameliorate or eliminate one or more of the disadvantages of known conveyor floors, to provide an improved conveyor floor or at least to provide an alternative conveyor floor.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a conveyor mat for a conveyor mat, wherein the conveyor mat is configured for conveying a load in a conveying direction extending between a first end and a second end of the conveyor mat, the conveyor mat comprising:

an elongated laminar body having an upper surface and having a first end and a second end, the second end being opposite the first end in the longitudinal direction of the laminar body; and

a friction profile arranged at the upper surface of the lamellar body and extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the lamellar body, wherein the friction profile is configured for increasing the coefficient of friction between the conveyor lamellar and a load placed on the conveyor lamellar.

The conveyor mat according to the invention may be used for forming a conveyor floor within a trailer, wherein the conveyor floor is configured for transporting objects out of or into the trailer and in a transport direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the trailer. The conveyor floor may comprise a plurality of parallel series of conveyor laminas, which may be made of aluminum. Each of the conveyor laminas is oriented substantially transverse to the conveying direction of the conveyor floor. When the load is placed on the conveyor pan and thus on the conveyor lamina during use, the load is at least partially supported by the friction profile of the conveyor lamina. The friction profile increases the coefficient of friction between the load and the conveyor lamina, in particular compared to the coefficient of friction between the elongated lamina body and the load. As the coefficient of friction between the load and the conveyor mat increases, the risk of the load placed at the conveyor mat moving relative to the conveyor mat when the trailer is accelerating, braking or turning is reduced and ideally eliminated. This is advantageous because the friction profile eliminates the need to use separate cargo beams and/or strapping to secure the load within the trailer.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous that the friction profile can prevent the moving floor from sliding with respect to the load thereon when the moving floor starts to move for loading or unloading.

In an embodiment, the friction profile is configured for preventing a load placed on the conveyor lamina from moving at least in a transverse direction relative to the conveyor lamina. According to this embodiment, the friction profile prevents the load on the conveyor floor from moving, accelerating or braking due to the trailer in which the conveyor floor is arranged.

In an embodiment, the elongate lamellar body has an upper wall in which a recess is provided, wherein the recess is arranged for at least partially receiving the friction profile. In an embodiment thereof, the groove extends substantially over the entire length of the elongated laminar body and/or is provided centrally thereof. Preferably, the upper side of the friction profile is located above the upper surface of the elongate lamellar body. The inventors have found that the conveyor lamina can imprint the load due to condensation between the conveyor lamina and the load placed thereon. Since the upper side of the friction profile is located above the upper surface of the elongated laminar body, the load is essentially supported by the friction profile of the conveyor floor. Therefore, condensation no longer occurs. This is advantageous because the risk of the conveyor film marking the load is reduced or in the ideal case eliminated.

In an embodiment, the upper side of the friction profile is provided with a plurality of ridges extending substantially parallel to each other. The plurality of ridges are arranged for enlarging the engagement surface of the friction profile, which engagement surface engages the load placed on the conveyor pan, and for advantageously further increasing the coefficient of friction between the friction profile and the load, in particular compared to the coefficient of friction between the elongated laminar body and the load.

In an embodiment, the friction profile comprises a rope-like profile body, wherein the rope-like profile body is placed and/or glued in the groove.

In an embodiment, the groove has a first groove portion and a second groove portion, wherein the first groove portion and the second groove portion are arranged in series in a direction from an upper side to a lower side of the elongated laminar body. In another embodiment, the friction profile has a profile body having a first body portion and a second body portion. In an embodiment thereof, the first groove portion is configured to receive the first body portion and the second groove portion is configured to receive the second body portion and for anchoring the second body portion therein. By anchoring the second body portion of the friction profile in the second groove portion, the friction profile is advantageously prevented from being forced out of the groove when a lateral force is applied to the friction profile. Such lateral forces may be the result of acceleration or braking of the trailer. Further, lateral forces may be transferred to the conveyor mat and subsequently to the conveyor chain, which may be connected to the conveyor chain such that the conveyor chain absorbs or counteracts the lateral forces.

In an embodiment, the recess has an inverted T-shape.

In an embodiment, the first groove portion converges in a direction from an upper side to a lower side of the elongated thin layer body, and the second groove portion has a semi-dome shape having a curved wall portion and a straight wall portion having a through hole therein. In another embodiment, the first groove portion is defined by a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface opposite the first abutment surface. In a further embodiment, the first body portion converges in a direction from an upper side to a lower bottom side of the elongated laminar body and comprises a side wall configured for abutment against the first abutment surface or the second abutment surface of the first groove portion, respectively. When a lateral force is applied to the friction profile by a load, the first body portion moves towards one of the first and second abutment surfaces so as to abut against the respective abutment surface. Optionally, the first body portion is inclined relative to the second body portion. As the first body portion abuts against the abutment surface, lateral forces will be transferred from the first body portion to the elongated laminar body while preventing further movement of the first body portion in the direction of the lateral forces.

In an embodiment, the second body portion has a truncated triangle shape when seen in cross section, wherein the second body portion has a base facing the first body portion, and the second body portion is connected to the first body portion at the base via a transition. In an embodiment thereof, the base has a base width and the straight wall has a wall width, wherein the base width and the wall width correspond to each other. According to this embodiment, the base of the second body portion is positioned immediately adjacent to the straight wall portion of the second groove portion. This is advantageous in that the lateral forces acting on the first body portion of the friction groove can also be counteracted by the straight wall portion of the second groove portion.

In an embodiment, couplers are removably arranged at the first and second ends of the elongated lamina body, wherein the couplers are configured for coupling the conveyor lamina to a drive (such as a conveyor chain). As a result, the friction profile can slide from one end of the elongate lamellar body into the recess in the elongate lamellar body. The friction profile is locked in the groove by means of the coupling. This is advantageous in that the friction profile can be mounted without additional fastening means, such as glue, screws or clamps.

In an embodiment, the elongated laminar body is made of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, synthetic material and steel, and the friction profile is made of an elastic and rubbery material such as soft PVC, NBR or TPU. The inventors have unexpectedly found that the elastic and rubbery material results in a coefficient of friction that is high enough to prevent the load on the conveyor lamina from moving relative to the lamina.

In an embodiment, the conveyor lamina comprises one or more friction profiles at the upper surface of the lamina body and extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the lamina body.

In an embodiment, the friction profile comprises an upper surface that merges directly into the upper surface of the elongate lamellar body, whereby the load is supported by the upper surface 38 of the friction profile and by the adjacent upper surface of the lamellar body.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a conveyor mat, wherein the conveyor mat is configured for conveying a load in a conveying direction extending between a first end and a second end of the conveyor mat, the conveyor mat comprising:

a plurality of conveyor laminas according to the first aspect of the invention, the plurality of conveyor laminas being arranged adjacent to each other and oriented substantially transverse to the conveying direction, wherein each of the plurality of conveyor laminas is connected at least one end thereof to a drive (such as a conveyor chain); and

a drive configured to move the plurality of conveyor laminas in the conveying direction.

The conveyor pan has at least the same technical advantages as described in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

In an embodiment, the conveyor pan is in a series of multiple conveyor laminas arranged next to each other, all conveyor laminas being each provided with friction profiles. The series may extend in the conveying direction over the entire conveyor length.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a cargo space and/or trailer having a conveyor pan according to the second aspect of the invention.

The cargo space and/or the trailer has at least the same technical advantages as described in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a loading/unloading assembly for loading/unloading a trailer, the loading/unloading assembly comprising:

a loading/unloading track having a conveyor base plate according to the second aspect of the invention.

The load/unload assembly has at least the same technical advantages as described in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

The different aspects and features described and illustrated in this specification can be applied separately wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, may be the subject matter of the divisional patent application.

Drawings

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a trailer having a conveyor floor according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a loading/unloading arrangement with the trailer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a portion of the conveyor mat of FIG. 1 having a plurality of conveyor laminas;

figures 4A to 4B show an isometric view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a conveyor lamina with the friction profile of figure 3; and

fig. 4C shows an isometric view of a portion of the friction profile of fig. 4A and 4B.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a trailer 1 with a conveyor pan 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The trailer 1 comprises a trailer frame 2 forming a trailer floor 3, and a cover 5 covering a schematic indication of the area above the conveyor floor 10. The trailer floor 3 and the schematically indicated hood 5 together define a cargo space. The trailer 1 further comprises a plurality of wheel axes 4, and at least one telescopic column 6 to support the uncoupled trailer 1. The conveyor mat 10 according to the present invention is not limited to trailer applications but may also be applied in trucks or stationary structures. The conveyor mat 10 has a horizontally extending main plane M which extends over the entire cargo area of the trailer 1 or the conveyor mat 10. The conveyor pan 10 (also called a so-called lamellar pan) is configured to move goods back and forth in its longitudinal direction L in a main plane M, as described below.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a loading/unloading arrangement 7 configured for loading or unloading the trailer 1 of fig. 1. The loading/unloading arrangement 7 has a loading/unloading track 8, the loading/unloading track 8 being used for example in a so-called distribution center on which objects 9 to be loaded/unloaded are placed. The loading/unloading track 8 is provided with a conveyor floor corresponding to a conveyor floor 10 as provided in the trailer 1. As shown, the trailer 1 is placed against one end of a loading/unloading track 8 in order to be able to load objects 9 into the trailer 1 or to unload from the trailer 1, in particular into the cargo space of the trailer 1 or from the cargo space of the trailer 1.

Conveyor mat 10 includes a series 11 of four parallel laminae 12, which laminae 12 may be made of aluminum. As shown in fig. 3, which shows a top view of a portion of one of the series 11 of laminae 12, each lamina 12 has an elongated lamina body 13, the elongated lamina body 13 being hollow, whereby the lamina body 13 has a bottom wall 22 and an upper wall 23 with a curved upper surface 24. The lamellar body 13 has a first end 14 and a second end 15, the second end 15 being opposite to the first end in the longitudinal direction of the lamellar body 12. At each end 14, 15, a coupler 16 is provided for coupling the lamina 12 to a conveyor chain 17. As follows in fig. 4, each coupling 16 (which may be made of synthetic material) is arranged in the hollow lamellar body 13 by means of an insertion portion, not shown. The coupling 16 continues in the extension direction of the foil 12 in a flange 18, which is connected to an insertion part, not shown, by means of a bridge 19. Flanges 18 extend over the conveyor chain 17 to prevent loads or personnel on the conveyor mat 10 from contacting the conveyor chain 17. The flange 18, the bridge portion 19 and the insertion portion are formed as one body. The bridge portion 19 has two receiving openings 20 facing the conveyor chain 17. The receiving opening 20 is configured for receiving a coupler pin 21, the coupler pin 21 being configured for coupling the conveyor chain 17 and the lamina 12 to each other.

As shown in fig. 4A and 4B, in which a single lamina 12 is shown, the lamina 12 is provided with friction profiles 25 at the upper wall 23 of the elongate lamina body 13. The friction profile 25 is configured to increase the coefficient of friction between the loads placed on the conveyor pan 10 compared to the coefficient of friction between the aluminium of the lamellar body 13 and the load. In this embodiment, the friction profile 25 extends from the first end 14 to the second end 15 of the lamellar body 13.

In order to be able to arrange the friction-increasing profile 25 at the lamellar body 13, the upper wall 23 of the lamellar body 13 is provided with a groove 26, which groove 26 extends in the longitudinal direction of the lamellar body 13 and is arranged in the middle thereof. As shown in fig. 4B, the groove 26 may have an inverted T shape when seen in cross section. The groove 26 has a first groove portion 27 and a second groove portion 28 arranged in series in a direction from the upper wall 23 to the bottom wall 22 of the sheet body 13. The first groove portion 27 converges in a direction from the upper wall 23 to the bottom wall 22 such that the first groove portion 27 narrows toward the bottom wall 22. The first groove portion 27 is defined by a first abutment surface 29 and a second abutment surface 30. The second groove portion 28 has a semi-dome shape having a curved wall portion 31 and a straight wall portion 32. A passage or through hole 33 is provided in the straight wall portion 32 so as to allow at least a portion of the friction profile 25 to be inserted into the second groove portion 28. The recess 26 is accessible from the first end 14 and the second end 15 of the lamellar body 13.

As shown in fig. 4C, the friction profile 25 has a profile body 35, the profile body 35 may be made of a resilient and rubber-like material such as soft PVC, NBR or TPU. The profile body 35 has a first body portion 36 and a second body portion 37, wherein the first body portion 36 is configured to be received within the first groove portion 27 and the second body portion 37 is configured to be received within the second body portion 28. The first body portion 36 converges in a direction from the upper wall 23 to the bottom wall 22 of the lamellar body 13 when seen in cross section. At the upper side, the first body portion 36 is provided with a plurality of ridges 39 extending substantially parallel to each other. The ridge 39 is configured for further increasing the friction between the friction profile 25 and the load placed on the conveyor pan 10 and for enlarging the abutment upper surface 38 of the friction profile 25. As shown in fig. 4C, the ridges 39 may have different widths and heights relative to each other such that the outer ridges 39 are wider and taller than the inner ridges 39. As shown in fig. 4B, the first body portion 36 and thus the ridge 39 extends out of the recess 26 and beyond the upper wall 11 of the lamellar body 13. As shown in fig. 4B, on both sides of the friction profile 25, the upper surface 38 of the friction profile 25 continues directly into the adjacent upper surface 24 of the lamellar body 13.

The first body portion 36 further has a plurality of side walls 40, the side walls 40 being substantially parallel to the first and second abutment surfaces 29, 30 and being configured for abutment against one of the first and second abutment surfaces 29, 30 when a force is applied to the friction profile 25 in a direction substantially transverse to its longitudinal direction, for example during acceleration or braking of the trailer 1.

As shown in fig. 4C, the second body portion 37 may have a truncated triangle shape when seen in cross section, thereby forming an anchor portion. The second body portion 37 has a base 41 facing the first body portion 36, and the second body portion 37 is connected to the first body portion 36 at the base 41 via a transition 42. The base 41 has a base width corresponding to the wall width of the straight wall portion 32 of the second groove portion 28 such that the base 41 is located directly below the straight wall portion 32. The transition 42 is located within the through bore 33. The second body portion 37 is locked within the second groove portion 28 such that when a lateral force is applied to the friction profile 25, the friction profile 28 is prevented from being pushed out of the groove 26.

In order to install the friction profile 25 in the groove 26, it is necessary to remove one of the couplings 16 from the laminar body 13. The friction profile 25 can then be slid into the recess 26, after which the coupling 16 can be put back onto the lamellar body 13. The lamina 12 is then ready for use in the conveyor floor 10. When the objects 9 to be loaded/unloaded are placed on the lamina 12, they are supported by the upper surface 38 of the friction profile 25, which is elastically compressed downwards, and by the adjacent upper surface 24 of the lamina body 13.

It is to be understood that the above description is included to demonstrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art, which variations will still be covered by the scope of the invention.

Claims (24)

1. A conveyor mat for a conveyor mat, wherein the conveyor mat is configured for conveying a load in a conveying direction extending between a first end of the conveyor mat and a second end of the conveyor mat, the conveyor mat comprising:

an elongated laminar body having an upper surface and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end in a longitudinal direction of the laminar body; and

a friction profile provided at an upper surface of the lamellar body and extending parallel to a longitudinal direction of the lamellar body, wherein the friction profile is configured for increasing a coefficient of friction between the conveyor lamellar and a load placed on the conveyor lamellar.

2. Conveyor lamina according to claim 1, wherein the friction profile is configured for preventing a load placed on the conveyor lamina from moving at least in a lateral direction relative to the conveyor lamina.

3. Conveyor lamina according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elongate lamina body has an upper wall in which a groove is provided, wherein the groove is provided for at least partially receiving the friction profile.

4. A conveyor lamina according to claim 3, wherein the groove extends over substantially the entire length of the elongate lamina body and/or is centrally disposed in the elongate lamina body.

5. Conveyor lamina according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the upper side of the friction profile is located above the upper surface of the elongate lamina body.

6. Conveyor belt according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the upper side of the friction profile is provided with a plurality of ridges extending substantially parallel to each other.

7. Conveyor mat according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the friction profile comprises a rope-like profile body, wherein the rope-like profile body is placed and/or glued within the groove.

8. A conveyor lamina according to any one of claims 3-7, wherein the groove has a first groove portion and a second groove portion, wherein the first groove portion and the second groove portion are arranged in series in a direction from an upper side of the elongated lamina body to a lower side of the elongated lamina body.

9. The conveyor mat of claim 8, wherein the friction profile has a profile body having a first body portion and a second body portion.

10. The conveyor mat of claim 9, wherein the first groove portion is configured to receive the first body portion and the second groove portion is configured to receive the second body portion and to anchor the second body portion in the second groove portion.

11. Conveyor mat according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the grooves have an inverted T-shape.

12. The conveyor mat according to claims 10 and 11, wherein the first groove portion converges in a direction from an upper side of the elongated mat body to a lower side of the elongated mat body, and the second groove portion has a semi-dome shape having a curved wall portion and a straight wall portion having a through hole therein.

13. A conveyor lamina according to claim 12, wherein the first groove portion is defined by a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface opposite the first abutment surface.

14. A conveyor lamina according to claim 13, wherein the first body portion converges in a direction from an upper side of the elongate lamina body to a lower side of the elongate lamina body, and the first body portion comprises a sidewall configured for abutment against the first abutment surface or the second abutment surface of the first groove portion, respectively.

15. Conveyor mat according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the second body portion has a truncated triangular shape when seen in cross section, wherein the second body portion has a base facing the first body portion and is connected to the first body portion at the base via a transition.

16. The conveyor mat of claim 15, wherein the base has a base width and the straight wall has a wall width, wherein the base width and the wall width correspond to one another.

17. A conveyor mat according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a coupler is removably arranged at a first end of the elongated mat body and a second end of the elongated mat body, wherein the coupler is configured for coupling the conveyor mat to a drive, such as a conveyor chain.

18. Conveyor mat according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elongated mat body is made of a material selected from aluminium, synthetic material and steel, and the friction profile is made of an elastic and rubber-like material, such as soft PVC, NBR or TPU.

19. Conveyor lamina according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising one or more friction profiles at the upper surface of the lamina body and extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the lamina body.

20. A conveyor lamina according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the friction profile comprises an upper surface that merges directly into an upper surface of the elongate lamina body.

21. A conveyor mat configured for conveying a load in a conveying direction extending between a first end of the conveyor mat and a second end of the conveyor mat, the conveyor mat comprising:

a plurality of conveyor laminas according to any one of the preceding claims, arranged adjacent to each other and oriented substantially transverse to the conveying direction, wherein each conveyor lamina of the plurality of conveyor laminas is connected at least one end thereof to a drive, such as a conveyor chain; and

a drive configured to move the plurality of conveyor laminas in the conveying direction.

22. A conveyor mat according to claim 21, wherein in a series of a plurality of conveyor laminae arranged adjacent to each other, all conveyor laminae are each provided with friction profiles.

23. Cargo space and/or trailer having a conveyor floor according to claim 21 or 22.

24. A load/unload assembly for loading/unloading a trailer, the load/unload assembly comprising:

load/unload rail having a conveyor floor according to claim 21 or 22.