EP0337850B1 - Handling device for receptacles such as containers - Google Patents

Description

The subject of the present invention is an apparatus for handling containers, such as for example rectangular containers which can receive any objects.

Apparatus for handling containers or tubs already known comprising a chassis actuable by a hoist or the like and supporting means for gripping the tubs which generally consist of articulated clamps that can be actuated by jacks. Thus, the clamps can grasp and release the containers, which can be transported from one point to another by moving the frame carrying the clamps.

However, prior handling devices with clamps can only be suitable for handling containers of very similar dimensions, that is to say that with these devices it is not possible to handle rectangular containers, one of the dimensions can vary over a wide area, while the other dimension is arbitrary, see DE-B-1 131 377.

Also, the object of the present invention is to remedy this drawback in particular by proposing a device for handling containers or tubs, for example rectangular, the dimensions of which can be very different or variable.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for handling containers, such as for example trays, comprising a chassis actuable by a hoist or the like and supporting means for gripping the containers, characterized in that said means for gripping are made up of elements attachment capable of deploying in a substantially horizontal plane to engage from inside the container in opposite walls of this container to grip it, and to retract in said plane to disengage from said walls and release the container.

According to a preferred embodiment, the hooking elements consist of two substantially parallel plates which are each provided with fingers capable of cooperating with holes in the opposite walls of the container, and which are joined by a system of the accordion type supported by the chassis and actuated by a jack.

It will be specified here that the accordion system consists of two rows of rods articulated at their ends and at their centers, the ends of these two rows being themselves articulated on the two aforementioned plates and the middle part of the two rows being articulated on uprights vertical integral with the chassis.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the two rows of rods are joined by their upper middle part by means of a transverse bar actuated vertically by the rod of the above-mentioned jack secured to the chassis, while the lower middle part of the two rows of rods is articulated on a fixed axis integral with the lower part of the vertical uprights.

These vertical uprights are provided in the upper part with rails in which the ends of the aforementioned bar slide which can be actuated by the jack.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the opposite ends of the two rows of rods are directly articulated by their lower part on the aforementioned plates and are articulated by their upper part on a bar mounted relatively movable or sliding relative to the plates.

It will also be specified here that the intermediate articulations between the plates and the vertical uprights are joined by transverse bars connected by return springs.

The two rows of aforementioned links are surrounded and protected by a bellows secured to the two aforementioned plates.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the chassis of the device forms a cradle fitted at the bottom with elements facilitating the centering of this cradle in the container or container to be handled.

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique de côté et en élévation d'un appareil de manutention conforme à cette invention ;
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne II-II de la figure 1, et montrant l'appareil en position d'extension et rétractée ;
• La figure 3 est une vue en coupe suivant sensiblement la ligne III-III de la figure 2 ; et
• La figure 4 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne IV-IV de la figure 2, et montrant l'appareil en position d'extension.

However, other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better in the detailed description which follows and which refers to the appended drawings, given solely by way of example, and in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic side view in elevation of a handling device according to this invention;
• Figure 2 is a sectional view along line II-II of Figure 1, and showing the apparatus in the extended and retracted position;
• Figure 3 is a sectional view substantially along line III-III of Figure 2; and
• Figure 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV in Figure 2, and showing the device in the extended position.

Referring in particular to FIG. 1, it can be seen that a handling device in accordance with this invention essentially comprises a chassis 1 forming a cradle which consists of a plurality of balusters 2 secured at their base to a base 3, while qu 'in the upper part of the chassis or cradle 1 is provided at least one crossbar 4 which can be coupled to a shackle 5 allowing the chassis or cradle to be hooked to a hoist (not shown) capable of transporting the chassis or cradle 1 d' one point to another.

The chassis or cradle 1 supports a system of the accordion type A, the opposite ends of which are provided with hooking elements in the form of substantially parallel plates 6 which, thanks to the accordion system A, can be deployed in a substantially horizontal plane for s '' engage from inside the tank in opposite walls 7 or 8 of this tank (Figure 2) to grip it, said accordion system A also allowing the plates 6 to retract in said horizontal plane to disengage from the walls of the tank and release it.

More specifically, and as best seen in Figure 2, the plates 6 are extended downwards by plates 6a provided with fingers 9 capable of cooperating with holes 10 formed in the opposite walls 7 or 8 of the tank.

11 in FIGS. 1 and 3 have shown elements which are integral with the chassis or cradle 1 and which allow it to be guided and centered in the container to be handled.

Furthermore, there has been shown diagrammatically at 12 in FIGS. 2 and 3 a housing which groups together all the pneumatic control elements (not shown) of the device.

The accordion system A consists of a plurality of rods B articulated at their ends and at their centers, as can be seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

As it clearly appears in FIGS. 3 and 4, the links B form two rows R₂, R₂ which are substantially parallel, and the opposite ends of which are articulated on the plates 6, while the middle part of the two rows of links B is articulated on vertical uprights 13 secured to the chassis or cradle 1.

More specifically, the uprights 13 comprise in the upper part of the rails 14 in which slide the ends of a transverse bar 15 joining the upper middle part of the two rows R₁, R₂ of rods B, as shown in 16 in the figures 3 and 4. Of course, at point 16, the links are articulated on the bar 15 which can be actuated vertically by the rod 17 of a jack 18 mounted vertically in the chassis or cradle 1, the rod 17 of course being coupled to the bar 15, as shown in 19 in FIG. 3.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the lower middle part of the two rows R₁, R₂ of connecting rods is articulated on a fixed axis 20 integral with the lower part of the vertical uprights 13.

In other words, as can be understood by referring to FIG. 2, during deployment or retraction, in the horizontal plane, of the set of rods B, the lower middle part of the two rows R₁, R₂ remains fixed by being articulated around the axis 20, while the upper middle part of the two rows R₁, R₂ is vertically wrestled in the rails 14 of the vertical uprights 13, and this under the effect of the jack 18, to cause the deployment or retraction of the set of links.

As can still be seen in FIG. 2 in particular, the opposite ends of the two rows R₁, R₂ of connecting rods are directly articulated by their lower part on the plates 6 carrying the fingers 9, as shown in 21, and are articulated by their upper part on a horizontal bar 22 mounted vertically and freely sliding in a slide 23 secured to the plates 6. Thus, when the set of links B deploys or retracts, it is understood that the end link B₁ may be struggling in the slide 23, while the articulation 21 of the link B₂ remains integral with the plates 6.

The upper A₁ and lower A₂ intermediate joints between the end links B₁, B₂ and the central links C₁, C₂ are joined by transverse bars 24 connected by return springs 25 clearly visible in FIG. 2.

According to the embodiment shown, the accordion system A consisting of the end links B₁, B₂, the central articulated links C₁, C₂ as explained above, on the vertical uprights 13, comprises sixteen links in all, but a greater number of links could perfectly be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. This set of rods is surrounded and protected by a bellows 26 integral with the two plates 6 and the vertical uprights and central 13, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4.

Returning to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the ends of the transverse bar 15 carry slides 27 sliding between the rails 14 fixed on the vertical uprights 13.

The operation of the handling device according to this invention is immediately deduced from the above description.

One acts on buttons making it possible to actuate the hoist (not shown) and the jack 18 is controlled in such a way that the accordion system A takes a folded position to allow its insertion from above a container to be gripped.

The accordion system A being inserted in the tank, the cylinder 18 is again controlled so that its rod 17 is retracted, which controls the deployment of the accordion system A and therefore the insertion of the fingers 9 carried by the plates 6 in the opposite walls 7 of the tank, the plates 6a then being in contact with said opposite walls 7.

Then, we can control the movement of the tray by acting on the hoist attached to the cradle 1 by the shackle 5, after which the tray is released by folding the accordion system A.

It is therefore understood that this device is particularly flexible and advantageously makes it possible to grasp containers having any variable dimensions, that is to say comprising opposite walls 7, or opposite walls 8 of lesser distance, as can be seen on Figure 2.

It will also be specified here that, in order to limit the risks of accidents during maneuver (fall of the tanks), all of the rods or crossbars can be controlled on the principle of double control.

Furthermore, although this device is intended to be used by an operator in manual version, the attachment can be modified to make it rigid, and the device can possibly be installed on a robotic gantry so that it can be used in version automatic.

Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only by way of example.

Thus the fixed axis 20 carrying out the articulation of the middle and lower part of the two rows of rods can be produced by any suitable means, such as by splitting the vertical uprights 13 in their lower part, as shown in FIG. 'showed in 13a.

Also, the number of rods B can be any, as well as the shape of the means for hooking the plates 6 in the walls of the trays to be grasped which can have a shape other than rectangular.

Claims (7)

1. Apparatus for the handling of containers such for example as bins comprising a frame operable by a hoist or the like and supporting means for gripping containers, constituted by hooking elements susceptible of being displaced in a substantially horizontal plane for engaging from the end side of the container opposite walls of this container for gripping it and of being retracted into the said plane to be disengaged from the said walls and to release the container, characterized in that the hooking elements are constituted by two substantially parallel plates (6) which are provided each one with fingers (9) adapted to co-operate with holes (10) in the opposite walls (7) of the container and which are connected by a system of the accordion type (A) supported by the frame (1) and operable by a jack (18).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the accordion system (A) consists of two rows (R₁, R₂) of links (B) pivotally connected at their ends and at their centres, the ends of these two rows being themselves pivotally connected onto both aforesaid plates (6) and the middle portion of both rows (R₁, R₂) being pivotally connected onto vertical uprights (13) made fast to the frame (1).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that both rows of links (B) are connected by their upper middle portion by means of a transverse bar (15) vertically operable by the rod (17) of the aforesaid jack (18) solid with the frame whereas the lower middle portion of both rows of links is pivotally connected onto a stationary pin (20) made fast to the lower parts of the vertical uprights (13).

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the aforesaid vertical uprights (13) are provided at the upper portion with rails (14) in which are sliding the ends of the aforesaid bar (15) operable by the jack (18).

5. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opposite ends of both rows of links are directly pivotally connected (21) with their lower portion onto the aforesaid plates (6) and are pivotally connected with their upper portion onto a horizontal bar (22) mounted in relatively displacable or sliding relationship with respect to the plates (6).

6. Apparatus according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the intermediate upper and lower pivotal connections (A₁, A₂) between the end links (B₁, B₂) and the central links (C₁, C₂) are connected by transverse bars (24) connected by return springs (25).

7. Apparatus according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that both rows (R₁, R₂) of aforesaid links are surrounded and protected by a bellows (26) made fast to both aforesaid plates (6).

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