DE3028694A1 - Material handling pallet arrangement - has vertically-spaced, horizontal load support surfaces removably disposed in open framework - Google Patents

Abstract

The material handling pallet (100) has a rectangular base (112) with corner-supporting legs (122) and an upright frame (124) mounted on the base. The frame comprises a pair of open framework end portions (126) and a cross frame portion (132) between and connected to the end portions. Vertically spaced horizontal load supporting members (152) are provided on the cross frame portion extending lengthwise of the pallet for supporting objects which are removable through the open framework end portions or sideways of the cross frame portion across one side of the pallet. The pallet is capable of carrying simultaneously a number of objects of different sizes and the supporting legs and upright frame portions are adapted to permit stacking of pallets one upon the other. Locating devices (162) are provided to restrain relative horizontal movement between stacked pallets.

Description

Pallet for picking up objects

The invention relates to a pallet for receiving objects with a rectangular base plate with long sides and narrow sides as well as several arranged at a distance from one another on the base plate, protruding from this downward Feet that hold the base plate at a distance from the surface so that lifting devices can reach under the base plate.

In most systems for processing and transporting objects Pallets are used to hold parts, raw materials and other items be transported. However, so far on the design of a pallet that is particularly suited to an assortment of items of various sizes wear, not enough effort has been directed. The conventional pallet The platform type is still very common, although not versatile but can only accommodate objects that can be stacked on top of each other.

Small parts can be stored and transported in containers. However, if large and small parts are mixed, then sorting results Wasted time. There is also the risk that the larger parts the smaller to damage. Manufacturers who use various small parts as components in larger ones Using systems would save significant parts handling and during transport as well as lower damage rates if a pallet would be available which meets the above requirements. In production facilities, in which many small parts and sub-units are assembled into larger units such a pallet could be used to advantage. For example Electronic devices usually consist of a large number of electronic devices Sub-units that are arranged in a larger housing. These enclosures can be big and difficult to handle. Unnecessary fiddling with such devices increased the risk of damage to both the housing and the components. If you can Housing can be left on a pallet, which can easily be moved between different work areas and can be moved within a work area, then one could consider the manufacturing process simplify and reduce costs. Of course, the pallet would then have to be structured in this way that the objects on it are accessible from all sides. Furthermore, the pallet would have to be constructed in such a way that pallets of the same type are stacked on top of one another can be stacked so that the space above can be used in the warehouse.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a range of the initially described Art to be improved in such a way that it is accessible from all sides, that several of the same kind Pallets can be stacked on top of each other without shifting against each other, and that it is suitable for holding objects of different sizes.

This task is performed with a pallet of the type described above according to the invention achieved in that an upright frame structure on the base plate is attached, the two arranged on opposite sides of the base plate, open side frames and one parallel to the longitudinal direction of the base plate between comprises the transverse frame running along the side frame and connected to it, that receiving elements for the objects are held on the transverse frame that the Frame construction ends at its top in frame parts that are transverse to the base plate run and are aligned with the pallet feet, and that on these frame parts and fixing elements are arranged on at least one foot, so that one above the other stacked pallets, the fixing elements of the lower pallet with the fixing elements come into operative connection at the foot or feet of the upper pallet and the two Secure pallets against relative horizontal displacement.

In a preferred embodiment, shelves are below mutual vertical spacing like a shelf releasable on the transverse frame attached, on which parts can be placed. In another embodiment horizontal rails are attached to the transverse frame at a perpendicular distance from each other, keep the containers for small parts slidably mounted on it. In both cases the parts mounted on these receiving elements can be carried out both by a longitudinal movement can be removed through the open frame on the sides as well as from the side.

Let by the alignment of the upper frame part with your feet the pallets are stacked on top of each other, with mutual displaceability is prevented by the fixing elements.

Advantageous embodiments of the pallet according to the invention are shown in FIG the subclaims described.

The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention serves for a more detailed explanation in connection with the following description. The figures show: FIG. 1 a perspective view of a pallet according to the invention; Figure 2 is a partial side view of the bottom part of a pallet on a similar Pallet rests; FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 3-3 in FIG Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment a pallet according to the invention; FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective partial view of a suspension device, such as it is used in the pallet of Figure 4; FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view Line 7-7 in FIG. 4 and FIG. 8 a sectional view along line 8-8 in FIG.

The pallet 10 shown in Figure 1 for picking up and transporting of objects consists essentially of a rectangular base plate 12 with long sides 14 and 16 and narrow sides 18 and 20.

With the base plate 12 are downwardly protruding feet at each corner 22 connected, which hold the base plate 12 at a distance above the floor space, so that the Arms of a forklift or other lifting equipment attached to the Underside of the base plate 12 come to rest and lift the pallet 10 and be able to transport from one place to another. The fact that only feet 22 to the Corners are provided, the arms of the forklift can take the pallet from both reach under the longitudinal side as well as from the narrow side, so that the movement is facilitated will. In this embodiment, the base plate 12 is shown as a metal plate, however, the base plate 12 can be made of other materials, for example made of plastic, which is made strong in a suitable manner.

An upright frame structure 24 is attached to the base plate 12. This comprises two open, side frames 26, which are located on the narrow sides 18 and 20 of the base plate 12 are located.

Each frame 26 includes two vertical posts ~ 28 that are at the corners the base plate are arranged.

An essentially horizontally arranged frame part 30 is essentially arranged transversely to the base plate 12 and is in this embodiment in one piece connected to the vertical posts 28 at the top thereof, although also separate Frame parts 30 can be connected to the posts 28.

An open transverse frame 32 extends between the two lateral ones Frame 26 and is with these tied together. The cross frame is located is essentially in the middle between the longitudinal sides 14 and 16 of the base plate 12. It comprises vertical frame parts 34 which at their lower end with the base plate 12 are connected and at the top with the frame part 30. Horizontal receiving elements 36 in the form of rails are on the vertical frame parts 34 at a vertical distance attached to each other. The rails extend the entire length of the transverse frame 32 and each consist of an outwardly and an upwardly directed hook part 38, on which container, not shown in the drawing, with a corresponding outwardly and downwardly directed hook part can be slidably attached. Since the side frame parts 26 are open, the containers can be placed on the rails Move along the base plate 12 through the frame parts 26. The containers can also be removed by placing them transversely to the base plate 12 between the two side frames 26 decreases. One can clearly see from this that the open Frame structure gives access to the items on the pallet 10 from both the narrow sides as well as the long sides. Each track also includes a traverse 40 arranged below, which is at a small distance below the hook part 38 is arranged. The traverse assigned to each rail acts as a rear one Support against which the area arranged below the hook part 38 is opposed of the container applies when the container is in the rail 36 hooked will. This holds the container in a vertical hanging position. Every Rail has two opposing hook parts 38 so that the container on both sides of the cross frame 32 can be hung.

The feet 22 are located essentially exactly vertically below the horizontal frame parts 30, so that the same pallets can be stacked on top of one another, as shown in FIG. Each foot 22 includes a footprint 42 that seen from the upper frame part 30 of the pallet 10 below it on the inside is arranged. The footprint 42 carries the pallet 10 when it is on a flat Area stands. Outside the footprint 42 there is a concave area 44, which extends transversely to the base 12 and which both outside and above the footprint 42 is arranged. The horizontal frame part 30 of the underlying Pallet 10 is received in this concave area of the foot 22 and occurs with it this in operative connection in such a way that a relative displacement of the two on each other stacked pallets 10 in the longitudinal direction is avoided. Also by the opposite the horizontal frame parts 30 inside storage areas is a shift the stacked pallets 10 obstructed in the longitudinal direction. The feet 22 and the horizontal frame parts 30 so together form fixing elements, the one prevent relative horizontal movement of two pallets stacked on top of each other.

The fixing elements also include a recess 46 in each foot 22, which is limited by upwardly converging surfaces 48 in the foot 22. Ledges 50 are arranged on the horizontal frame parts 30 at a distance from one another in such a way that that each projection engages in a recess of a corresponding foot 22, when a pallet 10 is lowered onto a pallet 10 below it. Everyone Protrusion 50 has an outwardly facing surface 52 and an inwardly facing one Surface 54, the two surfaces converging above the frame part 30. The inwardly facing surface 54 is arranged substantially perpendicularly and with the inner border of the horizontal frame part 30 aligned. Through the converging Construction of the projection 50 and the corresponding recess 46, guide the Fixing the two stacked pallets 10 in a certain Relative arrangement when they are stacked on top of each other. Hence the pallets stacked aligned so that the stability of a pallet stack is guaranteed.

A modified embodiment of a pallet 100 of the present invention The invention is shown in FIG.

The pallet 100 comprises a metallic base plate 112 with long sides 114 and 116 and narrow sides 118 and 120. A vertical frame construction 124 is mounted on the base plate 112 and includes opposed, open side frames 126, each vertical post 128 and substantially horizontal having upper frame members 130, the latter at the top of the posts 128 are arranged. A cross frame 132 extends between the side frames 126 and is connected to them. The cross frame 132 is located near the Long side 116 of the base plate 112.

Vertical frame members 134 are attached to the pallet, namely to the side frame 126. You are still with the adjacent post 128 connected by cross braces 136. The structure of the pallet 100 described above is with the structure of the pallet 10 is essentially identical, but is located Cross frame 132 closer to the longitudinal side 116, while the cross frame 32 is in the middle is arranged between the longitudinal sides 14 and 16 of the base plate 12.

The cross frame 132 also has a vertical center post 138 on, at its lower end with the base plate 112 and at its upper End is connected to an upper subframe part 135, which extends between the vertical frame parts 134 extends and is connected to these.

Suspension strips 140 are on the outside of the vertical posts 134 attached to both narrow sides 118 and 120 of the pallet 100 and have a Number of mutually spaced openings 142, which at an angle protrude from the cross frame 32. A middle hanging bar 144 is on to the Center post 138 and has inwardly facing openings 146 and 148 which protrude from the transverse frame 132 at an angle.

Receiving elements 152 are spaced from one another on the transverse frame 132 in the form of shelves 154, which extend over the entire length of the transverse frame, and a shelf 156 which extends only part of the length of the transverse frame extends, releasably attached. Each shelf 154 has two spaced apart Arms 158 on which brackets 159 are attached. Each bracket includes T-shaped teeth 160, which are arranged one below the other at a distance equal to the distance between corresponds to the adjacent openings 142 in the hanging strips 140. How out 6 shows, the teeth 160 protrude into the openings 142, so that the shelves 154 are held on the frame 132. The shelf 156 is so long that a bracket is held on a hanging strip 140 (Figure 8), which is identical to the hanging strip shown in Figure 5, while another bracket in the middle Hanging strip 144 (Figure 7) is held.

When all of the receiving elements 152 have been removed from the pallet 100, then the pallet 100 can be used to carry large items. The frame construction 124 serves as a surrounding construction, at which these great objects for example, can be fastened with straps, so that it is prevented that these objects are knocked over and off the pallet when the pallet is moved fall. The open side frames 126 allow parts to be placed on the receiving elements 152 remove lengthways through the open frame.

The parts can also be carried out in a conventional manner from the longitudinal sides the pallet 100 ago can be removed.

It can be seen that there are a large number of different arrangement options for the shelves and shelves comprehensive receiving elements.

For example, you can provide receiving elements that only have shelves 156 include. Pieces can be arranged so that they are on the cross frame 132 one above the other are arranged. This arrangement leaves a free space next to the shelves 156, in which larger items can be accommodated.

The pallet 100 comprises fixing elements in the form of projections 162 and recesses in the feet 122 which, in their construction, correspond to the corresponding parts correspond to the pallet shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 discussed above. One a more detailed description of these fixing elements is therefore not given here.

From the description it follows that the range shown here with open frame construction, at what objects held leads to a pallet with which you can go through the open frame construction has access to the objects from all sides. The fixing elements fulfill a important key task. That is, the projections on the horizontal frame parts when lowering a pallet onto another pallet in the recesses in the feet engage the upper pallet and thereby align the two pallets against each other.

If the pallets are slightly offset from one another, then guide the wedge-shaped surfaces of the projections and recesses the pallets when lowering the upper pallet to the lower one in an aligned position, so that when stacking pallets a correct relative arrangement in horizontal Direction is guaranteed.

The base plate of the pallet is so strong that only to the Corners feet can be provided.

The pallet can therefore be stored in a rack, which consists only of parallel rails, the distances between them being those of the feet at the corners correspond. However, if the base plate is not strong enough, you can feet arranged in the middle can be used, taking into account the possible locations reduced where the pallets can be placed. The inventive Pallet is versatile and stable and suitable for a wide variety of objects to record.

Claims (15)

Claims: 1. Pallet for receiving objects with a rectangular base plate with long sides and narrow sides as well as several im Distance from one another arranged on the base plate, protruding from this downward Feet that hold the base plate at a distance from the surface so that lifting devices can intervene under the base plate, noting that t that on the base plate (12; 112) an upright frame construction (24; 124) is attached, the two arranged on opposite sides of the base plate, open, lateral frames (26; 126) and one parallel to the longitudinal direction of the base plate running between the side frames and connected to this transverse frame (32; 132) comprises that on the transverse frame receiving elements (36; 140,144,152) for the Objects are held that the frame structure on its top in frame parts (30; 130) which run transversely to the base plate and with the pallet feet (22; 122) are aligned, and that on these frame parts and at least one foot fixing elements (44,46,48,50) are arranged so that when the pallets (10; 100) are stacked on top of one another, the fixing elements the lower pallet with the fixing elements on the foot or feet of the upper one Pallet come into operative connection and the two pallets against a horizontal one Secure relative displacement. 2. Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving elements (36; 152) are arranged in the vertical direction at a distance from one another and each other parallel to the transverse frame (32,132) extend horizontally so that held thereon Objects by moving parallel to the cross frame through the open side Frame (26; 126) or to the side of the transverse frame from a longitudinal side (14, 16; 114, 116) are removable from the pallet. 3. Pallet according to claim 2-, characterized in that the horizontal Receiving elements comprise rails (36) which extend substantially over the entire Extend length of the cross frame (32) and hang on those containers that are along the Rails are displaceable through the open side frame parts (26). - 4th pallet according to claim 3, characterized in that the rails (36) one to the outside and above have protruding area (38) into which the container are attachable. 5. Pallet according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that that the rails (36) on the two opposite sides of the cross frame (32) are arranged. 6. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the transverse frame (32) is essentially in the middle between the two long sides (14,16) of the base plate (12) is located. 7. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that certain of the horizontal receiving elements (36; 152) over the entire length of the transverse frame (32; 132), others (shelf 156) but only over part of the Extend the length of the transverse frame (132). 8. Pallet according to one of claims 1, 2, 6 or 7, characterized in that that on the horizontal receiving elements (152) and on the transverse frame (132) together operatively connected suspension means (140,144,154,156) are provided with the help of which the receiving elements releasably with the Transverse frame (132) are connectable. 9. Pallet according to claim 8, characterized in that the suspension means parts (140, 144) fastened to the transverse frame (132) with a number of one another vertically spaced openings (146,148) as well as outwardly protruding, include fingers attached to the receiving elements, which are at the respective height the receiving elements are received in the openings on the cross frame. 10. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the transverse frame (132) a plurality of spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, upright comprises standing frame parts (134; 138), with a frame part (134! on each narrow side (118,120) of the pallet (100) and a middle frame part (138) between the frame parts (126) are arranged on the narrow sides (18,120) that the frame parts several receiving elements (152) spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction wear, and that these either extend over the entire length of the pallet and on the frame parts (126) on the narrow sides (118,120) are held or only from a frame part (126) on a narrow side (118,120) to the middle frame part (138) extend and are held on these, so that receiving elements (152) in different Configuration on the frame parts (138,134) are held. 11. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that each side frame (26,126) two spaced apart, upright Side elements (28; 128) as well as a horizontal one, the side elements on their upper side upper element (30; 130) connecting one another and held on the side elements comprises, the latter being the frame part extending transversely to the base plate (12; 112) forms. 12. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that each of the feet (22; 122) has a footprint (42) and one above the same Receiving area (44) for an upper frame part (30; 130) of one below Pallet (10; 100), so that after lowering one pallet onto another the feet are fixed in the horizontal direction by the frame parts in such a way that a relative displacement of the two pallets in their longitudinal direction is prevented. 13. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the fixing elements held at least one on the upper frame part (30; 130), from this upwardly protruding projection (50) and a recess (46) in one Foot (22), wherein the projections engage in the recesses when the Pallets are stacked on top of each other. 14. Pallet according to claim 13, characterized in that the projection (50) arranged in a wedge shape, converging upwards from the upper frame part (30; 130) Has side surfaces (52; 54) and that the recess (46) through up into the Foot into converging side surfaces (48) is limited. 15. Pallet according to claim 14, characterized in that the projection (50) has a substantially upright, inner side surface (54) which is substantially is aligned with the inner edge of the corresponding upper frame part (30).