DE29815544U1 - Frame with frame insert - Google Patents

Description

28.08.1998

Frame with frame insert

The invention relates to a frame, in particular a side wall frame for pallets, which is preferably composed of several frame bars that delimit a frame surface and to which a frame insert is fastened in a frame plane so that it can bear transverse loads.

A frame with an insert with the above-mentioned features is generally known. The frame insert is fastened in the frame in such a way that it must be held externally after insertion and is then riveted or welded. The joining techniques are carried out in at least two work steps. Such frames are used in particular as side walls for pallets. These are items that are manufactured in large numbers. In this case, it is particularly disadvantageous if high manufacturing costs have to be incurred due to complex production.

In contrast, the invention is based on the object of improving a frame with a frame insert with the features mentioned above in such a way that less time and cost is required for the production of the frame with frame insert and the production is simplified.

This task is solved by the frame insert being positively locked to at least one frame bar transversely to the frame plane.

It is important for the invention that the locking of the frame insert with the frame, which is made of frame bars, alone can hold the construction. No further welding or riveting of the frame insert to the frame is necessary, but can be done to further improve the hold without changing the shape as required after locking. Assembly is simplified by the fact that the frame insert can be built into the frame in one step. The simple assembly allows a wide range of variations in the structure and materials of the frame bars and frame inserts with little effort. To clean or replace frame inserts, they can simply be levered out without having to replace the frame as well. The frame inserts are not damaged during installation or removal and can be reused. This locking technology means that different materials, especially those that cannot be welded or can only be welded at very different temperatures, can be joined together without any problems. The frame inserts can also be inserted and held with play, so that materials that have different elasticity or expansion properties than the frame construction can be used as frame insert material.
25

The frame can be designed so that it is rectangular and its frame insert is locked to parallel frame bars. The rectangular frame shape enables particularly easy assembly of the frame insert and connection of different frames to one another and when placed on a rectangular pallet. To ensure sufficient hold of the frame insert, locking to opposite parallel frame bars is essentially sufficient. The frame insert can be easily locked in place and sits firmly in both a one-piece and a multi-piece frame, which can be made from several frame bars with both blunt cuts and mitred cuts with weld seams or with corner connectors.

It is advantageous to design a frame in such a way that a frame bar is provided with a longitudinally extending locking recess into which the frame insert engages with an insert edge. A longitudinally extending locking recess can be produced with little effort in a frame bar, which was made from a hollow profile, for example. If the locking recess extends over the entire frame bar, a variable arrangement of the insert within the frame is possible if it is shorter than the frame bar. A frame insert that can be moved after insertion in the frame can also be used. The insert edge of the frame insert is easy to produce in this arrangement.

It is advantageous if the frame insert is a thin plate with insert edges formed by bends. Bends can be easily produced by bending or in a rolling process, for example with sheet metal. No complicated formations are necessary.

An advantageous design of the frame is that the locking recess is located on a frame bar wall facing a parallel frame bar. In this way, the frame insert can be installed between the two frame bars. This facilitates a good, form-fitting fit.

The overall construction has a small depth while maintaining the same functionality. This is particularly desirable for attachments for pallets due to the increased loading capacity due to the reduced thickness of the frame side walls.

It is advantageous if the locking recess has the cross-sectional shape of the engaging insert edge, which if necessary is the same as the adjacent surface of the frame bar with the locking recess. In this way there is a good form fit between the frame insert and the frame bar wall. The locking recess and the insert edge complement each other to form a smooth surface. When moving goods to be transported in a pallet attachment made up of these frame parts, the goods do not get caught on any protrusions. There is no protrusion of a part and therefore no water or

Dirt cannot settle. The formation of scooping spots is prevented. Easy cleaning is possible. It also creates a good visual impression.

The frame can be designed in such a way that a wall of one of the frame bars that has the locking recess forms an acute angle with the direction of use of the frame insert. An edge that rises in the opposite direction to the direction of use of the frame insert or an acute angle prevents the frame insert from being pushed through when it is inserted into the frame and ensures a positive fit in the direction of push-through. This is particularly the case when the walls of two parallel frame bars each form an acute angle with the direction of use of the frame insert in a practically mirror-image arrangement. As a result, the distances between the frame bars on the two end edges of the opposite parallel walls are different. The direction of use should preferably be arranged in the direction of the narrowing planes.

The frame is advantageously designed in such a way that the edges of the frame insert engage in the locking recesses under pre-tension. In addition to the positive locking provided by the locking recesses, this provides additional support by increasing the static friction due to a contact tension transverse to the direction of the load. This tension can be adapted to the respective load requirements, e.g. when transporting goods. The use of a pre-tensioned frame insert is particularly advantageous for metals or other highly elastic materials.

It is advantageous that the edges of the frame insert form an acute angle with the direction of its insertion, which is greater in magnitude than the acute angle of the wall of the frame bar that has the corresponding locking recess. This provides a simple way of generating tension when the frame insert is inserted. This is particularly advantageous for metal sheets in order to improve the hold of the frame insert.

·

An advantageous embodiment of the frame consists in the frame insert being inserted with a smooth or cranked insert edge into a locking recess designed as an insertion groove. This type of joint, in particular in addition to the sloping walls on the insert side of the other frame bars of the frame, provides a way of achieving secure positioning when producing the frame with a frame insert before inserting the other edges of the frame insert. A cranked insert edge provides in particular a smooth finish at the transition from the frame insert to the frame bar.

It is advantageous if the frame insert only partially fills the frame surface. This allows the goods to be transported to be ventilated or observed and controlled. In particular, material can be saved and the overall weight is reduced. In addition, the assembly of the frame insert is made easier by the lower pressing forces required.

The frame can be designed so that the frame insert is made up of several parts and its parts are evenly distributed over the frame surface. The multi-part nature of the frame insert provides a greater range of variable design options for the device. When using movable frame inserts, these can be arranged differently after installation as required. By evenly distributing the frame insert parts over the frame surface, the forces to be absorbed are evenly absorbed, which can occur when the frame is used, e.g. for attachments for pallets. In addition, an attractive visual impression is guaranteed.

The frame insert is advantageously a hollow profile, 5 whose front ends engage in locking recesses in the frame bars. The design of the frame insert as a hollow profile ensures good stability against both transverse and longitudinal forces while keeping the component light. Less material is required and the hollow profile is extruded in a proven process.

It is easy to manufacture in this way. When the frame insert is pressed in, the hollow profile absorbs elastic deformation forces in addition to the frame insert edges. It is therefore not always necessary to have a constant pre-tension of the frame insert, but the hollow profile can compensate for deviations that can occur, for example, through the use of different materials or shapes. The hollow profile enables the frame with frame insert to be used as a thermally insulating wall for temperature-sensitive perishable goods. In addition, the use of multi-part frame inserts distributed over the frame surface is particularly advantageous in this form of hollow profile, because the end edges can be securely locked even with a small contact surface.

It is advantageous if the edge of the frame insert is inserted into an undercut in the frame bar. The undercut ensures better grip to prevent the frame insert from slipping out against the direction of use and across it. In this case, the acute angle does not necessarily have to be selected with a view to optimal grip, but can be adapted to simpler manufacturing conditions. When the frame is used with the frame insert, e.g. as an attachment for pallets when transporting heavier, bulky goods, the frame inserts are safely protected from being pushed out by the goods shifting during transport.

If the frame insert is supported by the frame against being pushed through in the opposite direction to its insertion direction 0, this offers an advantageous embodiment of the frame. Otherwise, if the wall of the frame rod provided with the locking device is at a small angle, it is possible that the frame insert part is inadvertently pushed through the frame during assembly and cannot find a hold.

It is advantageous if the frame bars have support projections that engage behind the frame insert. Such support projections are easy to produce in hollow frame profiles by co-extrusion and can be shaped in such a way that

that, while at the same time providing good support, they do not represent an obstacle to the insertion and movement of goods within a pallet attachment constructed from the frames and frame inserts.
5

The frame can be designed in such a way that the frame insert is held in line with the walls of the frame bars by the locking recesses. This type of construction ensures that goods do not get caught when being pushed into the box and that no dirt or grime can become difficult to remove from the frame and frame insert.

It is advantageous if the frame rods and/or the frame insert are made of metal or plastic. Manufacturing from metal or plastic ensures that the attachments made from these frames and the frame inserts can be easily cleaned on pallets and are safe and hygienic. A structure made from metal or fiber-reinforced plastic is also particularly resistant to the influence of external and internal forces. The plastic structure enables a very lightweight construction, which is particularly suitable for transport in aircraft. Constructions of a frame with a frame insert made from a combination of different materials are also advantageous. The snap-in connection makes it possible to easily and inexpensively connect a wide variety of materials to one another as a frame insert or frame.

Another advantageous design of the frame is when two or more frames are connected by a coupling/counter-coupling mechanism, consisting of a U-profile located on an outer wall of a first frame and a strip located on an outer wall of a second frame and inserted into the U-profile. This enables a very variable construction of different attachments and frame structures. The construction of the coupling mechanism from U-profiles and inserted strips ensures a stable hold and good sealing against the ingress of moisture. The simple assembly offers

the possibility of saving space by stacking frames of the attachment when the attachment is not needed temporarily.

For producing a frame from several frame bars with a frame insert, in which the frame bars are connected to one another at their ends and the frame insert is installed between the frame bars transversely to the frame plane in a load-bearing manner, a method is proposed according to claims 1 to 20. The task is to find a simple, cost-effective joining method for producing frames with frame inserts.

The task is solved by inserting the frame insert transversely to the frame plane between the frame bars and locking it transversely into locking recesses in these frame bars. In comparison to welding or riveting, this locking can be carried out in one operation without complex equipment. The locking joining method enables very different types of frame inserts and frames to be assembled using one machine. This joining technology offers the particular advantage during production that the frame insert can be connected to the frame in a simple manner. There are no increased requirements for the surface finish or material selection and material properties of the elements to be assembled. The process does not rule out the use of other common joining processes to supplement and improve the hold.

0 The invention is explained using embodiments shown in the drawings. It shows:

Fig.la Side walls of a pallet attachment assembled from frames and frame inserts with a longitudinal section through two frame bars and a frame insert

sentence ,

Fig.Ib the assembly of an attachment from several frames,

Fig.2a a detailed enlargement of a corner area of a frame insert inserted into a frame,

Fig.2b a frame insert and the frame made of frame rods before assembly,

Fig.3a a section through a prestressed frame insert held in a frame,
Fig.3b a hollow profile inserted into a frame,

Fig.4a,b two sections through differently designed

Snap connections,

Fig. 5 a frame filled in segments with coupling profiles.
10

Fig.la shows an attachment 5 for pallets 60 assembled from several frames with frame inserts 12 (Fig.lb). The frames of the designs shown here are rectangular. They are made up of mitred hollow profile bars. Another possibility is to let the frame bars meet one another butt-jointed and then weld them in the same way as with mitred frame bars. However, corner connectors can also be used. A side piece 55 formed from a frame and a frame insert 12 is shown in section. It is enlarged again in Fig.3a,b and 4a,b and shown in cross-section in various designs.

The cross sections of the frame bars 10 are rectangular or 5 have a slight incline or an acute angle α (Fig.3a) on the inner frame bar wall 16 compared to an insertion direction ER (Fig.2b) of the frame insert 12. The inclined frame bar wall 16 is designed with a locking recess 13 and the straight frame bar wall 16' with an insertion groove 19.

The locking recesses 13 for slanted inner frame rod walls 16 of the frame rods 10 or the straight inner frame rod walls 16 of the frame rods 10 with insertion grooves 19 for the insert edges 14 of the frame inserts 12 advantageously have undercuts or supporting projections (Fig.4a,b). The frame surface 11 is completely filled with a thin, elongated frame insert 12. The frame surface 11 in Fig.la in this case is level with the frame plane 11'. The insertion direction ER of the frame insert 12 is shown in Fig.2b, 3a. It preferably runs transversely to the frame surface 11, in the direction of the line formed by the inner frame rod walls 16.

ten taper. An end edge 14 of the frame insert 12 sits in a locking recess 13 of an inner frame bar wall 16 of a rectangular frame bar 10, which extends longitudinally over the frame bar 10. The insertion of a frame insert 12 into a frame with a straight frame bar wall 16' and several slanted frame bar walls 16, shown in Fig.4a,b, is carried out in such a way that first the insert edge 14 of the frame insert 12 intended for the straight wall 16' is inserted into the insertion groove 19 and the other insert edges 14 are then clipped into the locking recesses 13 of the slanted frame bar walls 16.

For improved and positive retention of an attachment on the pallet 60, tabs 30 are attached to the frame bars 10, which rest on the pallet 60, in such a way that they encompass the pallet 60, thus ensuring lateral displacement protection and a positive fit for the attachment 5.

Fig. 1b shows how the side walls formed from the frame and frame insert 12 are assembled using a coupling/counter-coupling mechanism. This mechanism consists of U-profiles 24 and strips 25, which are attached to the outer surfaces 23, 23' of the frame bars 10 in the longitudinal direction. In this way, frame parts with a U-profile 24 and frame parts with a strip 25 can be pushed into one another and form a frame attachment 5 that can be designed in a variable manner.

Fig.2a shows a detailed enlargement of a corner area of the attachment 5 from Fig.la. The installed frame insert 12 has a split at the corner, which is composed of two frame bars 10, into two insert edges 14 running along the frame bars 10. At the corner, in the case of a construction of this type, there is a spread-out end part which leaves the connecting seam of the frame bars 10, e.g. a weld seam, free.

Fig.2b shows schematically the insertion of a frame insert 12 into a frame. All insert edges 14 are

angled and simultaneously engage in the locking recesses 13 of the inner slanted frame bar walls 16 of the frame.

Fig.3a shows in more detail the insertion of a frame insert 12 in the form of a sheet metal, angled at an angle β, into a frame formed from the frame bars 10 with angled frame edges 14 on the walls 16 at the angle α. The direction of insertion is marked ER. The angle α is smaller than the angle ß. In this way, the frame insert 12 is placed under tension when inserted into the frame. This provides greater adhesion and thus greater durability or improved form-fitting in addition to the form-fitting against slipping of the frame insert 12 formed by the angled frame bar walls 16 and locking recesses 13.

Fig.3b shows a hollow profile inserted into a frame bar 10 with its front ends 20. The hollow profile has a smaller thickness d than the thickness D of the frame bars 10. The locking recesses 13 on the inclined frame bar walls 16 have a length corresponding to a projection of the thickness d of the hollow profile onto the frame bar wall 16. In this way, the surface of the inner surface I of the frame with frame insert 12 is smooth and the profile can be held towards the outside A of the frame by the locking recesses 13.

Fig.4a,b shows two preferred construction forms of 0 opposing frame bars 10 with a slanted frame bar wall 16 and a straight frame bar wall 16'. The straight frame bar wall 16 has an insertion groove 19 into which a smooth (Fig.4a) or cranked (Fig.4b) insert edge 14 of a frame insert 12 is inserted. The cranked insert edge 14 offers the advantage that it forms a smoother transition on the inside I of the frame. This smooth transition is advantageous when sensitive goods are placed in the attachment 5 formed from the frame, which should not get caught or come into contact with dirt or water stuck in the edges.

Furthermore, in addition to the simple locking recess 13 of a slanted frame bar wall 16 of a frame bar 10, a design is shown which has a support projection 22 which engages behind the frame insert 12 to prevent it from slipping through. Particularly in the case of non-prestressed frame insert sheets 12, it is advantageous to additionally secure the locking recess 13 against slipping out by an undercut 21 of the slanted frame bar wall 16 of the frame bar 10. It is advantageous to arrange a frame bar 10 with the straight inner frame bar wall 16' in the frame in such a way that the frame insert 12 can first be pushed into the insertion groove 19 during installation and then locked into the locking recesses 13 under tension. However, locking on all four sides under force with the beveled, angled edges 14 is also conceivable, as shown in Fig. 2b, 3a.

Fig.5 shows a multi-part frame insert 12, the individual parts of which are evenly distributed over the frame surface 11 and can be snapped into the locking recesses 13 on opposite parallel frame bars 10. Molded snap edges can be used. U-profiles 24 are arranged on the outside 23 of the frame bars 10. In conjunction with the strips 25, as already described above, they serve as a coupling/counter-coupling mechanism when constructing pallet attachments 5 from frames with frame inserts 12. The frame or side walls are secured against falling apart using conventional means, e.g. by strapping or fasteners.

Claims (20)

28.08.1998 Claims: 1. Frame, in particular side wall frame for pallets, which is composed preferably of several frame bars (10) which delimit a frame surface (11) and to which a frame insert (12) is fastened in a frame plane (H') so as to be transversely loaded, characterized in that the frame insert (12) is positively locked to at least one frame bar (10) transversely to the frame plane (H'). 2. Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that it is rectangular and its frame insert (12) is locked to mutually parallel frame bars (10). 3. Frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a frame bar (10) is provided with a longitudinally extending locking recess (13) into which the frame insert (12) engages with an insert edge (14). 4. Frame according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the frame insert (12) is a thin plate with insert edges (14) formed by bends (15). 5. Frame according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the locking recess (13) is present on a frame bar wall (16) facing a parallel frame bar (10). 6. Frame according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the locking recess (13) has the cross-sectional shape of the engaging insert edge (14) which, if necessary, can be connected to the adjoining upper surface of the frame bar (10) having the locking recess (13). 7. Frame according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a locking recess (13) having wall (16) of one of the frame bars (10) forms an acute angle (α) with a locking direction (ER) of the frame insert (12). 8. Frame according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the walls (16) of two mutually parallel frame bars (10) each form an acute angle (α) with a locking direction (ER) of the frame insert (12) in a practically mirror-image arrangement. 9. Frame according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the insert edges (14) of the frame insert (12) engage under prestress in the locking recesses (13). 10. Frame according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the insert edges (14) of the frame insert (12) form an acute angle (ß) with its insertion direction (ER), which angle is greater in magnitude than the acute angle (α) of the wall (16) of the frame bar (10) having the respective associated locking recess (13). 0 11. Frame according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the frame insert (12) with a smooth or cranked insert edge (14) is inserted into a locking recess designed as an insertion groove (19) (13) is plugged in. 12. Frame according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the frame insert (12) only partially fills the frame surface (11). 13. Frame according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the frame insert (12) is made up of several parts and its parts are evenly distributed over the frame surface (11). 14. Frame according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the frame insert (12) is a hollow profile which engages with its front ends (20) in locking recesses (13) of the frame bars (10). 15. Frame according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the insert edge (14) of the frame insert (12) is inserted into an undercut (21) of the frame bar (10). 16. Frame according to one or more of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the frame insert (12) is supported against sliding through by the frame in the opposite direction to its direction of insertion. 17. Frame according to one or more of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the frame bars (10) have support projections (22) engaging behind the frame insert (12). 18. Frame according to one or more of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the frame insert (12) is supported by the locking recesses (13) in alignment with walls (16) of the frame bars (10).
30 19. Frame according to one or more of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the frame bars (10) and/or the frame insert (12) consist of metal or plastic. 20. Frame according to one or more of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that two or more frames are connected by a coupling/counter-coupling mechanism consisting of a (23) of a first frame located U-profile (24) and a strip located on an outer frame wall (23') of a second frame and inserted into the U-profile (25).