EP0884252B1 - Transport and storage container for transporting and supplying flat and preferably round objects - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a transport and storage container for transport and providing flat, preferably round, objects, in particular of motor vehicle steering wheels, the container base housing with a Base plate, two end walls and one long side wall and one on the has a longitudinal side wall pivotally attached lid, being in the container Bars with grooves are arranged, in which the objects in rows to each other are held vertically or upright at a distance.

Transport containers of the type mentioned above are used in a wide variety, to transport a wide variety of objects. Often are such items are finished and must be stored carefully so that they not subject to damage during transport. Furthermore, it is often necessary items, such as accessories, from the manufacturing company to the assembly site in order to be there, for example on an assembly line, the objects from the transport container immediately for assembly remove. Flat, round objects are a particular problem, especially vehicle steering wheels, especially when they have impact protection or airbag. Containers in which such steering wheels are added high security requirements during transport on the other hand they should be simple on the assembly line Ensure removal. To fill a transport container with standard dimensions, it is necessary, for example, to arrange steering wheels in several rows, to take advantage of the volume of the shipping container. To such vehicle steering wheels to stack, strips and upholstery parts are required, the steering wheels to each other keep spaced. To remove the steering wheels from or in reverse Way of inserting the steering wheels into the transport container during manufacture, must have different padding and spacer parts, for example strips with grooves, taken out of or inserted into the container. As a result, such a transport container consists of a large number of individual parts, that must be kept unless they are single-use parts that subsequently would be difficult to dispose of. These parts are removed after the removal of the items then put it back on the assembly line in the container to get it back to the manufacturer of the accessories. It is almost inevitable that individual parts, such as strips, in which the objects are used are lost during transport or are damaged by a subject to improper handling, so they must be replaced.

US-A-5 324 105 describes a transport rack for vehicle steering wheels. The posed comprises an outer, rectangular frame in which several above a base part horizontally aligned insert frames at a distance from one another and at a distance from the Bottom part are arranged. There are four on the bottom part and one on the insert frame Strips fastened with grooves, the strips being arranged in pairs to one another are such that the steering wheels are placed vertically in the grooves of the respective pairs of strips and be held. Due to the total of four strips, each insert frame can be used or the bottom part each arranged two rows formed from steering wheels and be held. The insert frame located above the steering wheels used or an upper cover frame also each have four strips with grooves, who engage in the steering wheels and secure them. The individual insert frames are on the frame is pivotally arranged at its rear end so that, after removal the steering wheels on top, can be swiveled upwards and backwards, to release the two rows below, made up of steering wheels, for removal. The pivotable arrangement of the insert frame requires that the topmost position down the steering wheels, which are assigned to a frame, taken become, i.e. both the front row and the back row, after which the insert frame can be folded up, then the steering wheels of the two below Take rows.

Based on the prior art mentioned at the beginning and the associated The problem as described above lies in the present invention the task of a transport and storage container of the known type to further develop such that on the one hand a safe transport of the objects is guaranteed On the other hand, the objects can be easily removed without having to handle a large number of individual parts.

daß dem Deckel die der Bodenplatte gegenüberliegende Behälterwand zugeordnet ist und die andere Längsseitenwand entfernbar ausgebildet ist,

daß jeder Reihe Gegenstände zwei untere, zueinander beabstandete Leisten und eine obere Leiste zugeordnet ist, wobei die obere Leiste jeweils etwa oberhalb der, von der dem Deckel zugeordneten Längsseitenwand aus gesehen, hinteren, unteren Leiste liegt,

daß die der oberen, vorderen Reihe zugeordnete untere, vordere Leiste geführt so bewegbar gehalten ist, daß sie bei nicht mit Gegenständen belegter Reihe aus ihrer Grundposition in eine hintere Stellung bewegbar ist,

daß die der oberen, vorderen Reihe zugeordnete untere, hintere Leiste geführt so bewegbar gehalten ist, daß sie bei nicht mit Gegenständen belegter Reihe aus ihrer Grundposition in eine vordere Stellung bewegbar ist,

daß die der oberen, vorderen Reihe zugeordnete obere Leiste geführt so bewegbar gehalten ist, daß sie bei nicht mit Gegenständen belegter Reihe aus ihrer Grundposition in eine vordere Stellung bewegbar ist, und

daß die der oberen, hinteren Reihe zugeordnete untere, vordere Leiste geführt so bewegbar gehalten ist, daß sie aus ihrer Grundposition in eine hintere Stellung bewegbar ist.

The object is achieved in a transport and storage container of the type mentioned above in that the objects are arranged in four rows, which are aligned parallel to the base plate of the basic housing, with two lower rows and two upper rows,

that the container wall opposite the base plate is assigned and the other longitudinal side wall is designed to be removable,

that each row of objects is assigned two lower, spaced-apart strips and an upper strip, the upper strip being located approximately above the rear, lower strip, as seen from the longitudinal side wall assigned to the cover,

that the lower, front bar assigned to the upper, front row is guided so that it can be moved from its basic position to a rear position when the row is not occupied by objects,

that the lower, rear bar assigned to the upper, front row is guided so that it can be moved from its basic position to a front position when the row is not occupied by objects,

that the upper bar assigned to the upper row is guided so that it can be moved from its basic position to a front position when the row is not occupied by objects, and

that the lower, front bar associated with the upper, rear row is guided so that it can be moved from its basic position into a rear position.

The essence of the invention can be seen in the fact that on the one hand the flat, disc-shaped Parts, such as vehicle steering wheels, are arranged in four rows with two bottom rows and two top rows, and certain bars that are assigned to the rows and in which the steering wheels rest or on their Top are supported, guided so that they can move respective positions or release areas of the transport and storage container so that the objects the individual rows are easily accessible. Because the individual strips are guided, they remain on the transport and storage container and do not have to be removed from the container. After one Container is completely emptied, it can be sent to the supplier without further measures of the accessories are returned to him again with items, for example, to be filled with vehicle steering wheels. Such a transport and Storage containers can be built extremely stable, i.e. also with solid strips, in which the individual parts are held, since these strips are components of the transport and storage container and therefore not on an assembly line can be removed from the container by a technician. Through the defined leadership these strips in the container in the different positions they are without great effort can be moved. Because the strips are integral parts of the container they continue to stiffen the container during transport, which is why they are used can be designed to be stable.

Due to the defined mobility of different strips, as stated above is the respective, a series of objects (vehicle steering wheels) assigned strips in a first position in which the respective objects are held and into a second position in which they take up a position, so that the next row of objects is easily accessible, movable. With the invention The arrangement of the strips is first the top, front row of objects removed, then the lower, front row emptied, followed by the Remove the items from the back, top row until the last one remaining row, i.e. the lower, rear row of objects removed becomes. The respective handling of the strips in which the objects are supported are explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment.

In a preferred development of the transport and storage container, the bar assigned to the lower, front row on the bar assigned to the upper, front row, lower, rear bar attached and is guided together with this movable. This will provide the mechanism required to run these two ledges moving to different positions is reduced.

A simple mechanism to move the individual strips in a guided manner, arises when it can be pivoted into the different positions are. For this purpose, the strips are preferably held by means of arms that with its free ends pivotally held in the region of the respective pivot axis are. These arms can be attached to the ends of the strips.

Under a version with a swiveling arrangement of different strips, the Pivot axis of the lower bar (s) and / or assigned to the upper, front row the pivot axis of the lower, assigned to the rear, upper row, front bar approximately in the middle between the rear and front bar arranged. With this arrangement there are sufficiently large lever arms to to pivot the bars into their different positions so that the respective rows still occupied below these strips or behind these strips are easily accessible. For this reason, the pivot axis of the upper, front row assigned upper bar about above the lower, front Bar can be arranged.

As an alternative to the pivoting arrangement of the strips, these can be in Appropriate rails are guided on the side walls of the container, it can either be straight rails or appropriately curved rails Rails to the respective bar in a position releasing the objects to move into an area of the container at which the strips are positioned in this way are that when you take out objects in below or behind Rows are not distracting.

The individual strips should be in their basic position, i.e. in that position in that they fix objects that are inserted in the container, can be locked, so that the objects are fixed in the strips during transport. The locks can then be released to remove the items, then move the bars into the appropriate release position. Preferably the Locking by means of spring-loaded locking elements.

As can be seen from the above explanation, the transport container also to be regarded as a safety container that also has strong external influences withstands during transportation. To add extra strength to the container to give closed lid, several tabs are provided on the lid, the inside of the side walls when the container is closed reach behind the basic housing. This is especially true if Steering wheels are transported in such a container that integrates one have so-called airbag, which is mounted ready for operation in the respective steering wheels is.

So that the objects, especially the two rows below, are easily accessible can be removed from the container is one long side wall of the container base body designed such that it can be opened. This Side is the long side opposite to that on which the lid of the container is pivotally attached. To remove the objects, the lid is opened, by swiveling backwards as seen from the position of the operator becomes. Then the long side wall facing the operator is opened, so that the lower rows of the objects arranged in the container are easily accessible. To simplify this opening of the long side wall, the longitudinal side wall facing the user in a further embodiment of the transport and storage container assigned to the lid. This means, that when you open the lid, the long side wall, as part of the lid, is opened with and protrudes upwards, so that the container for removal the objects stored in it are immediately ready without opening separate handles would be required on the long side wall.

Figur 1

eine Draufsicht auf die Längsseite eines erfindungsgemäßen Transport- und Vorratsbehälters mit geöffnetem Deckel,

Figuren 2A bis 2D

Seitenansichten des Transport- und Vorratsbehälters auf die linke Stirnseitenwand, allerdings mit entfernter Längsseitenwand in diesen Figuren, um die Ansicht der darin angeordneten, runden Gegenstände, beispielsweise Lenkräder, freizugeben, wobei Figur 2A den vollständig gefüllten Behälter zeigt, während die Figuren 2B, 2C und 2D jeweils den Behälter mit einer weiteren Reihe Gegenstände entfernt darstellen und die unterschiedlich verschwenkten Leisten zeigen, so daß die jeweils nächste Reihe Gegenstände zugänglich ist.

Further details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawing. In the drawing shows

Figure 1

2 shows a plan view of the long side of a transport and storage container according to the invention with the lid open,

Figures 2A to 2D

Side views of the transport and storage container on the left front side wall, but with the longitudinal side wall removed in these figures, in order to reveal the view of the round objects arranged therein, for example steering wheels, with FIG. 2A showing the completely filled container, while FIGS. 2B, 2C and 2D each show the container with a further row of objects away and show the differently pivoted strips so that the next row of objects is accessible.

The transport and storage container as seen in the longitudinal side view in FIG. 1 and can be seen in the side views of the end face according to FIGS. 2A to 2D has, a container base housing 1 with a base plate 2, two end walls 3 and a rear longitudinal side wall 4. On the rear long side wall 4 is pivotable about a pivot axis 5, a cover 6 attached. The lid 6 the front longitudinal side wall 7 of the transport and storage container is assigned, so that, in the open state of the container, as shown in the figures is shown, the container on the front long side and on the upper Side open and the interior is freely accessible.

As can be seen in Figures 2A to 2C, four rows are rounder in the container Objects, indicated by the broken line 8, inserted the in two rows are grouped on top of each other. In the figures, the lower, front one Row with the reference number 9, the lower rear row with the reference number 10, the upper front row with the reference numeral 11 and the upper rear row each with the reference number 12 (see FIG. 2A).

The round objects used in the further description as vehicle steering wheels 8 are in position in the container by means of grooves 13 provided strips supported. The lower rows 9 and 10 of the vehicle steering wheels 8 associated lower strips are designated by reference number 14, each row 9, 10 is assigned a front and a rear bar 14 is, which support the individual vehicle steering wheels 8 on their circumference. The lower one Rows 9 and 10 are each a further upper, rear provided with grooves 13 Bar 16, 15 assigned to the vehicle steering wheels assigned to the lower rows 9, 10 on their, seen from the front long side of the container 1, rear Support the peripheral edge. Corresponding to the lower rows 9, 10, the upper, front row 11 a lower, front bar 17, a lower, rear bar 18th assigned, the upper, rear row 12 is a lower, front bar 19 and one assigned lower, rear bar 20. At the top is the top, front Row 11 is supported by an upper, rear bar 21 and the upper, rear row 12 is supported with an upper, rear bar 22. In addition are for support the vehicle steering wheels 8 of the two upper rows 11 and 12 on the Inside the lid 6 two strips 23 attached, which, when the lid is closed, correspond to a position above the respective front, lower strips 17 and 19 and support the vehicle steering wheels on their upper, front side. These ledges 23 need not necessarily be grooved; continuous cushion can be sufficient.

The strips 23, as can be seen in the top view in FIG. 1, can be used as metal supports run with a soft cover, for example made of rubber or foam are covered. While the respective grooves 13 serve record the steering wheels 8, as shown in Figure 1 below in the middle by dash-dotted line is indicated, the recesses 24 are according to the length the hub 36 of the steering wheel 8 dimensioned. As a result, in the lasts fully assembled vehicle steering wheels 8, including hub 36 and in particular also with built-in impact protection or airbag.

The transport and storage container is used to transport the vehicle steering wheels 8 from the manufacturing company for the vehicle steering wheels to the assembly line for the Load motor vehicles as shown in Figure 2A with four rows Vehicle steering wheels 9, 10, 11 and 12. On an assembly line or other Removal point, the container is turned off, the lid 6 opened so that the Interior of the container freely accessible from the front long side and from the top is.

After the container is provided as shown in Figure 2A, you can the vehicle steering wheels 8 are removed from the upper, front row 11. After the row 11 has been emptied, the one assigned to the upper, front row 11 is lower front bar 17, which is arranged pivotably in the direction of the arrow 25 (see Figure 2A) pivoted to a rear position, as shown in Figure 2B is. In this position of the bar 17, the vehicle steering wheels 8 are the lower, front Row easily accessible and can be removed one after the other. For the pivotable arrangement of the bar 17 arms 26 are attached at its two ends, which is approximately in the middle of the distance between the front bar 17 and the rear bar 18 are articulated with their pivot axis 27.

After the lower, front row 9 of the vehicle steering wheels 8 out of the container is removed, the bar 17 is pivoted back into its basic position (see figure 2C), then around the upper bar assigned to the upper, front row 11 21, which is arranged approximately above the lower, rear bar 18, to the front to pan. This bar 21 is also arranged on arms 26, although these arms have a length such that their ends are approximately above the front, lower bar 17 about a pivot axis 27, corresponding to the Swivel arrow 28, are swiveled forward, downward. In this positioning the Bar 21, the vehicle steering wheels 8 of the rear, upper row 12 are easily accessible. To remove these vehicle steering wheels 8 of the rear row 12 can simultaneously the bar 21, which is pivoted downwards and in front, as a support for the person, which takes the steering wheels 8 of the rear row 12, serve. For this, a Locking of the bar 21 can be provided to fix it in position, such as it is shown in Figure 2C.

After the vehicle steering wheels 8 have been removed from the rear, upper row 12, the lower, front bar 19 assigned to the rear, upper row 12, the is also pivotally held at arms 26 at its ends, in the direction of Swivel arrow 29 pivoted into a rear position about the pivot axis 30, such as this is shown in Figure 2B. The pivot axis 30 of the arms 26 is approximately in the middle positioned between the rear bar 20 and the front bar 19. Furthermore the lower, rear bar 18 assigned to the front, upper row 11, which are also pivotable on arms 26 about a pivot axis 31 in the direction of Swing arrow 35 is held, pivoted into a front position, as shown in Figure 2D is shown. As can also be seen in FIG. 2B, the bottom of the Bar 18 is the upper, rear bar 16 assigned to the front, lower row 9 attached so that it is pivoted upwards with it at the same time. In the orientation the bars, as shown in Figure 2B, the vehicle steering wheels 8 of the lower, rear row 10 between the bars pivoted upwards 19 and 16 and 18 are removed.

As from the description of the unloading process according to the sequence of the figures 2A to 2D, the strips remain in every phase of the removal Part of the container, so that, after removal of all vehicle steering wheels 8, only the cover 6 still has to be closed in order to send it to the production plant to send the vehicle steering wheels 8 back.

For loading the transport and storage container as described above is, with the vehicle steering wheels 8 or other corresponding objects the loading process is based on the positioning of the individual strips, as shown in Figure 2D, started, after occupancy of the lower rear row 10, the rear, upper row 12 (Figure 2C) is loaded, followed by loading the lower, front row 9 (Figure 2B). In conclusion, the top, front row 11 loaded, so that the container, with vehicle steering wheels 8 filled, ready to send.

A piston-cylinder arrangement 32 can be provided on the cover 6 of the container to hold the lid 6 securely in the open position.

The container is suitable as a high security transport container, which is preferably made of steel with a frame made of square tubes and an outer steel panel, as the figures show. In addition, on the cover 6, in particular also on the upper longitudinal side wall 7, which pivots with the cover 6 will be provided tabs 33, which are indicated in Figure 1, but not in Figures 2A to 2D, which engage behind the end walls 3 inside. hereby It is ensured that the lid 6. under strong external forces and the longitudinal side wall 7 between the end walls 3 when closed The lid remains fixed. With a correspondingly strong locking of the Cover 6 and the longitudinal side wall 7, the steering wheels 8 can be transported safely are, especially when impact devices are already operational or airbags are installed in the steering wheels.

The individual strips, which are pivotally arranged in the transport and storage container are, in particular by locking in the respective positions in the positions in which they receive the vehicle steering wheels 8 by means of spring-loaded Locking elements shown in Figure 1 on the top bar 21 and designated by reference numeral 34 can be fixed.

Claims (14)

1. A transport and storage container for transporting and supplying flat and preferably round objects (8), particularly automotive steering wheels, which comprises a basic container housing (1) with a bottom plate (2), two front side walls (3) and a longitudinal side wall (4), and a cover (6) which is pivotably secured to said one longitudinal side wall, said container having arranged therein strips (17, 18; 19, 20) with grooves (13) in which said objects (8) are held in rows spaced apart from one another in vertical direction or standing on edge, characterized in

   that said objects (8) are arranged in four rows (9, 10, 11, 12) that are oriented in parallel with said bottom plate (2) of said basic housing (1), with two lower rows (9, 10) and two upper rows (11, 12),

   that said cover (6) has assigned thereto the container wall opposite to said bottom plate (2), and the other longitudinal side wall (7) is configured to be removable,

   that each row (9, 10, 11, 12) of objects (8) has assigned thereto two lower strips (14; 17, 18; 19, 20) spaced apart from each other, and an upper strip (15, 16, 20, 21), said upper strip being respectively located slightly above the lower strip (14, 16, 20) that is the rear one when viewed from the longitudinal side wall assigned to said cover,

   that said lower front strip (17) assigned to said upper front row (11) is guidably held to be so movable (25) that it is movable from its basic position into a rear position in the case of a row (11) not occupied by objects (8),

   that said lower rear strip (18) assigned to said upper front row (11) is guidably held to be so movable (35) that it is movable from its basic position into a front position in the case of a row (11) not occupied by objects (8),

   that said upper strip (21) assigned to said upper front row (11) is guidably held to be so movable (28) that it is movable from its basic position into a front position in the case of a row (11) not occupied by objects (8), and

   that said lower front strip (19) assigned to said upper rear row (12) is guidably held to be so movable (25) that it is movable from its basic position into a rear position.
2. The transport and storage container according to claim 1, characterized in that said upper strip (16) which is assigned to said lower front row (9) is guidably movable such that it can be moved from its basic position into a front position when said row (9) is not occupied with objects (8).
3. The transport and storage container according to claim 2, characterized in that said strip (16) which is assigned to said lower front row (9) is secured to said lower rear strip (18) assigned to said upper front row (11) and is guidably movable together with said strip.
4. The transport and storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said guidably movable strip(s) (16, 17, 18, 19, 21) are pivotable into said different positions.
5. The transport and storage container according to claim 4, characterized in that the pivot axis (27, 30, 31) of said lower strip(s) (17, 18) assigned to said upper front row (11) and/or of said lower front strip (19) assigned to said rear upper row (12) is/are arranged approximately in the middle between said respectively rear and front strip (17, 18; 19, 20).
6. The transport and storage container according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the pivot axis (27) of said upper strip (21) assigned to said upper front row (11) is arranged above said lower front strip.
7. The transport and storage container according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said pivotable strips (16, 17, 18, 19, 21) are held by means of arms (26) that are pivotably held with their free ends in the area of the respective pivot axis (27, 30, 31).
8. The transport and storage container according to claim 7, characterized in that one arm (26) is arranged at each end of a strip (16, 17, 18, 19, 21).
9. The transport and storage container according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said strip(s) (16, 17, 18, 19, 21) are guided in rails.
10. The transport and storage container according to claim 9, characterized in that said strips (16, 17, 18, 19, 21) are guided at their ends in rails.
11. The transport and storage container according to claim 1, characterized in that said guidably movable strips are lockable at least in their basic position.
12. The transport and storage container according to claim 11, characterized in that said locking is carried out by means of spring-biased locking elements (34).
13. The transport and storage container according to claim 1, characterized in that said cover (6, 7) has provided thereon a plurality of tabs that in the closed state of said container grip behind the inner side of said side walls (3).
14. The transport and storage container according to claim 1, characterized in that said other longitudinal side wall (7) is assigned to said cover (6) and forms part thereof.

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