DE102022113698A1 - STACKABLE PALLET - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pallet (10) for holding loads on a loading floor (21, which is supported by a pallet frame (40). The pallet frame (40) comprises a rectangular bottom support frame (41) and at least two in adjacent corner areas of the Corner posts (42-45) attached to the supporting frame (41), with the loading floor (21) being attached on the side of the supporting frame (41). The two side parts with the respective posts are designed to be foldable between a high and low position, so that the side parts can be folded up in a low position can be stored folded on the loading floor.

Description

The invention relates to a stackable pallet for holding loads according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Pallets are very important in transport logistics in order to be able to handle goods as quickly and efficiently as possible. In addition to pallets, the most important conveying aids are containers and storage boxes.

As a conveying aid, pallets are an essential element in logistics for forming loading units, i.e. they combine several individual goods into larger units. Pallets, or load carriers as they are sometimes called due to their design for specific purposes, are usually standardized containers, as defined, for example, in the European standard EN 13698-1. Pallets - similar to containers - illustrate the benefits of standardizing load carriers in material flow technology. The always identical external dimensions allow uniform loading, storage, handling and picking.

A number of variants have been developed to simplify this loading, storage, handling and picking for certain goods or to make it easier for the user.

In the DE 198 48 012 A1 A transport frame with wheels is described, in which the wheels can also be moved between a retracted and an extended position. If the wheels are to be retracted after transport, a hand lever must be operated with which the wheels can be moved between the two positions.

The DE 20 2010 015 486 U1 revealed palette. The pallet has two loading floors in spaced-apart loading levels for receiving the load, the upper loading floor being movably mounted in such a way that it can be moved between a high position and a low position. If the upper loading floor is in the low position, the lower loading floor can be loaded more easily because it is freely accessible. However, the desire often arose to make it easier to raise and lower the sometimes heavy loading floor.

An important aspect is the space-saving ability to stow pallets in the smallest possible space when traveling empty or storing the pallets. This brought the DE 2006 013 402 U2 a clever solution in which, by folding the side walls of the pallet, they can be placed in a rest position parallel to the loading area and within the outline of the loading area. This means a significant space saving when traveling empty. A further improvement in terms of loading space flexibility and pallet volume when empty was the pallet with a movable loading floor and fold-down corner posts, as in the DE 10 2020 120 353 A1 is published.

Proceeding from this, it is the object of the invention to provide an improved pallet which, on the one hand, offers maximum loading volume and, on the other hand, is dimensioned to save space for leeward travel and storage. It is important to ensure that the operator exerts little force when adjusting the pallet between the loaded and empty configuration.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a pallet with the features of patent claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments result from the dependent patent claims.

The pallet is intended to accommodate loads on a loading floor which is supported by a pallet frame. The pallet frame has at least two opposite side parts, each of which forms two pallet posts located in the corner regions of the pallet frame, the pallet frame being movable by hand or external force between a high (I) and a low position (III). In the high position, the side panels with the respective pallet posts are in an upright position. In doing so, they release the loading space and loading floor (22) to accommodate the load and define an essentially cuboid-shaped loading space. The side panels are designed to be foldable for movement into a low position, so that they lie in the folded position within the reduced loading space. For this purpose, the side parts each have an upper and lower, foldable post section on the bottom. A special feature is that the two side parts are guided so that the side parts can be moved in the same direction between the high (I) and low position (III). This makes it easy to handle the pallet when adjusting it to the high (I) and low position (II).
(...)

By folding the two side parts in the high (I) and low position (II), the volume of the pallet can be significantly reduced, so that limited storage or loading space can be saved without any loss when loading.

By using a force-supporting kinematic guide, the changeover can be made Installation and operation of the movable loading floor can be carried out by the operator with only slight effort, there is no need for complex, time-consuming conversion, the movable parts are securely attached to the pallet.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the dependent patent claims.

• 1 eine perspektivische CAD-Ansicht einer Palette im Hochlage bzw. Ladezustand,
• 2a eine perspektivische CAD-Ansicht der Palette nach 1 in einer zwischen Hoch- und Tiefposition befindlichen Zwischenposition,
• 2b eine perspektivische CAD-Ansicht der Palette nach 1 in Tiefposition,
• 3a eine CAD-Seitenansichten einer unbeladenen Palette gem. 1 in Hochposition, bereit zum Beladen und
• 3b eine CAD-Seitenansichten der unbeladenen Palette mit in einer Zwischenposition der Seitenteile.

Further features, advantages and effects of the invention result from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, as shown in the drawing. Show it:

• 1 a perspective CAD view of a pallet in the up position or loading state,
• 2a a perspective CAD view of the pallet 1 in an intermediate position between high and low position,
• 2 B a perspective CAD view of the pallet 1 in low position,
• 3a a CAD side view of an unloaded pallet in accordance with. 1 in high position, ready for loading and
• 3b a CAD side view of the unloaded pallet with the side parts in an intermediate position.

1. 1. Stapelbare Palette zur Aufnahme von Ladegut auf zumindest einem Ladeboden (21, 22), der von einem Palettenrahmen (40) umgeben wird welcher der Palette im Ladezustand eine im wesentlichen quaderförmige Kontur verleiht und der Palettenrahmen (40) zumindest zwei gegenüberliegende, Seitenteile umfasst, die jeweils zwei in den Eckbereichen des Palettenrahmens (40) befindliche Palettenpfosten ausbilden wobei der Palettenrahmen (40) von Hand oder Fremdkraft zwischen einer Hoch- (I) und einer Tiefposition (III) bewegbar ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
   • • die Seitenteile mit den jeweiligen Palettenpfosten sich in Hochposition (I) in aufrechter Position befinden und geben den Laderaum und Ladeboden (22) zur Aufnahme des Ladegutes frei,
   • • die Seitenteile jeweils einen oberen und unteren bodenseitigen, faltbaren Pfostenabschnitt aufweisen, sodass sich die Seitenteile in Tiefposition (III) des Palettenrahmens zumindest abschnittsweise in eine gefaltete Position innerhalb des reduzierten Laderaums zum Liegen kommt und
   • • die Pfostenabschnitte der beiden Seitenteile mittels einer Führung gleichsinnig zwischen der Hoch- (I) und Tiefposition (III) bewegbar sind.

In 1 is shown in a perspective view of a stackable pallet 10 for the temporary storage of semi-finished or finished products or products, hereinafter referred to as cargo. Such pallets 10 are used, among other things, for further processing of the load in a partially automated production process.

1. 1. Stackable pallet for holding loads on at least one loading floor (21, 22), which is surrounded by a pallet frame (40) which gives the pallet a substantially cuboid contour when loaded and the pallet frame (40) comprises at least two opposite side parts , which each form two pallet posts located in the corner areas of the pallet frame (40), the pallet frame (40) being movable by hand or external force between a high (I) and a low position (III), characterized in that
   • • the side parts with the respective pallet posts are in the upright position (I) and release the loading space and loading floor (22) to accommodate the load,
   • • the side parts each have an upper and lower bottom-side, foldable post section, so that in the low position (III) of the pallet frame, the side parts come to rest at least in sections in a folded position within the reduced loading space and
   • • the post sections of the two side parts can be moved in the same direction between the high (I) and low position (III) by means of a guide.

In 1 the foldable pallet 10 is shown in high position I.

The pallet frame 40 has a rectangular, bottom-side support frame 41 and at least four corner posts 42, 43, 44 and 45 attached in the corner regions of the support frame 40, the lower of the two loading floors 22 being attached to the support frame 41. Together with the four corner posts 42, 43, 44 and 45, the pallet frame 40 gives the pallet 10 a cuboid outline and defines a front, a rear, a right and a left side surface as well as a base surface. The cuboid outline thus limits the loading space of pallet 1.

Rectangular hollow profiles made of steel are usually used for the pallet frame 40 and for the two loading floors 21 and 22. The corner posts 42-45 consist of a rectangular profile tube. They have an open square profile cross section at the ends facing away from the ground.

The four corner posts 42, 43, 44 and 45 attached in the corner areas of the support frame 40 are, as shown in FIGS 1 can be seen, divided approximately halfway up and each provided with a folding joint 52. The upper, foldable parts of the corner posts 42, 43, 44 and 45 are combined in pairs to form a left and a right side part 50, 51. The corner posts 42 and 43 of the left side part 50 and the corner posts 44 and 45 of the right side part 51 each have an upper web 53 attached to the upper end of the corner posts 42, 43, 44 and 45 and a lower web 54 each attached above the folding joints connected with each other. The side parts 50 and 51 can therefore be folded down separately from one another towards the middle of the pallet 10.

When the side parts 50, 51 are folded down, they also assume a low position and thus reduce the height h of the pallet 10 and thus the minimum transport volume of the pallet 10 by almost half. In 5b the pallet is shown with the movable loading floor 22 in a low position and with the left and upright right side parts 50 and 51 folded down, so that the height differences can be seen. With those at the side parts 50, 51 and the movable loading floor 22 in a low position, the pallet 10 can be parked or further transported or stored as compact empties.

How next in 1 shown, pallet feet 47 are formed in the corner areas on the bottom side of the support frame 41, so that the loads can be introduced from the support frame 41 into the ground. For the practical stackability of pallets 10 on top of each other, the pallet feet 47 have mandrels 48 on their underside, which in the stacked state mesh with one another in receptacles 49 formed at the ends of the corner posts 42, 43, 44 and 45.

For optimal load transfer and cost-effective assembly, the profile supports 46 are welded together.

Reference symbol list

10

palette

21

Lower loading floor

22

23

Nose

30

cargo

40

Pallet frame

41

Support frame

42-45

Corner post

46

Profile beam

47

Pallet feet

48

Thorns

49

Recordings

50

left side panel

51

right side panel

52

Folding joint

53

upper bridge

54

lower bridge

55

attack

56

rollers

57

linkage

60

guide

61

leg

62

Backdrop

70

Swing arm

71

role

72

ramp

73

Spring element

74

Hook

75

head Start

hH

Elevation high altitude

hT

High low altitude

I

High position

II

Low position

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 19848012 A1 [0005]
• DE 202010015486 U1 [0006]
• DE 2006013402 U2 [0007]
• DE 102020120353 A1 [0007]

Claims (13)

Stackable pallet for holding loads on at least one loading floor (21, 22), which is surrounded by a pallet frame (40) which gives the pallet a substantially cuboid contour when loaded and the pallet frame (40) comprises at least two opposite side parts, which form two pallet posts located in the corner areas of the pallet frame (40), the pallet frame (40) being movable by hand or external force between a high (I) and a low position (III), characterized in that • the side parts with the respective pallet posts in the high position (I) are in an upright position and release the loading space and loading floor (22) to accommodate the load, • the side parts are designed to be foldable, so that in the low position (III) of the pallet frame they are at least partially in a folded position within the reduced loading space come to rest and • the post sections of the two side parts can be moved in the same direction between the high (I) and low position (III) by means of a guide. Pallet after Claim 1 , characterized in that the guide (60) has at least two link elements which are mounted on the bottom side in a longitudinally movable manner between the two side parts and which are each coupled to the post sections via a linkage in such a way that they move the two side parts in the same direction between the high (I) and low position (III ) spend. Pallet after Claim 2 , characterized in that the linkage has a first push rod for each side part, which couples the link element to the upper post section and has a second push rod, which couples the link element to a folding joint formed between the upper and lower post sections. Pallet after Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the link elements are guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner by means of a threaded spindle. Palette according to one of the Claims 2 until 4 , characterized in that the link elements or threaded spindle are operated by a hand crank or by an electric motor. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper post sections are each pivotally connected to one another with a lower post section via a joint. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or both side parts are force-supported by a spring element for easier operation. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper post sections are each pivotally mounted on the one hand on an upper section of the pallet frame and on the other hand on the adjacent lower post section and the lower post sections on the bottom side in order to carry out the folding movement. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side parts each have two bottom-side, fixed post stubs and two top-side post stubs, whereby in the low position the top-side post stubs come to rest on the bottom-side, fixed post stubs. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two side parts are connected to one another via the upper post sections and each via a front and rear frame element and form a pallet cover. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pallet can be closed by means of a tarpaulin or side walls. Pallet after Claim 11 , characterized in that the side walls each have upper and lower aprons which overlap when the pallet frame is moved from the high position (I) to the low position (III). Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pallet height defined by the pallet posts in the high position h _H and the pallet height in the low position h _T corresponds to a ratio of 2:1 or more.