EP0912408B1 - Spacer and pallet including a spacer - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a spacer (3, 5, 7, 9) for bridging the spacing between a base surface (11) and a loading surface (2) of a palette (1), the spacer (3, 5, 7, 9) being designed such that it has a guide device (16) perpendicular to the base surface. This spacer can be integrated in conventional palettes and allows retention means which prevent the palette load from slipping to be inserted into the guide device. In addition, the retention means can be rod-shaped, for example, such that a further palette can be placed on the upper end of the retention means. This enables a plurality of palettes to be stacked one on top of the other without the weight of the upper palette resting on the load on the lower palette.

Description

The invention relates to a spacer for bridging the distance between a base and a loading area of a pallet, one for Base has vertical guidance, and a pallet with a spacer to bridge the distance between a base and its Loading area, the spacer being a guide perpendicular to the base area having.

Pallets are used to transport a wide variety of goods using forklifts or other pronged lifting equipment. Have these pallets a loading area on which the goods are placed and they point Spacers on the loading area when parking on a base so support that a space is created between the loading area and the base area. This Space is used to tine a lifting device under the loading area drive to the loading area and onto it by lifting the tines positioned goods. These spacers can be made in one piece with the Be connected to the loading area and the entire distance between the bottom bridge the loading area and the base area. Especially with wooden pallets are usually several spacers between the loading area and one on the Base area on the board arranged. The spacers are like this positioned that easily with the tines of a forklift in the space under the Loading area can be retracted.

The outer dimensions of pallets are standardized and therefore the appearance of pallets essentially uniform.

However, all pallets have the disadvantage that if they are relatively high with goods are loaded, in many cases these goods tend to be off the pallet to fall down. There are therefore depending on the type of packed on the pallet Were different ways to keep the goods on the pallet, being the best known way is to weld the goods with a foil. Mostly as Shrink film used must be applied as a separate step before removing the goods, the film must be removed and ultimately the film used must be disposed of.

A generic spacer and a generic range is from the GB-A-1 183 112 is known. This spacer has a conical opening into which an appropriately molded conical rod at its end can be used can. With such pallets, however, a lot of loading area for the Arranging the handrail needed.

There is also a lot of space in the area for an embodiment according to DE-A-23 12 477 the loading area of the pallet.

A better loading possibility results with a construction according to FR-A-2 082 295. In this embodiment, however, is not a spacer provided the distance between a base and a loading area bridged a pallet. All forces act on one welded on Sheet metal part that is welded at a distance from the base. The Spacer is formed by a spacer that measures the distance bridged and a special part is used to hold a pole. The at This construction resulting bracket is extremely shaky because the Rods insufficient support in the guide between the welded part and find the spacer.

Starting from this prior art, the object of the invention to develop a simple construction that offers sufficient support and allows the best possible use of the loading area of the pallet.

This object is achieved with a generic spacer in which the Guide consists of an angled hollow profile. at least one holding plate for fastening the spacer to a pallet having. The task is also solved with a generic palette, at the guide consists of an angled hollow profile.

The proposed combination of spacer, angled guide and parallel side walls ideally enables the largest possible Pallet loading area and sufficient hold of the bars used. In addition, the proposed construction is inexpensive to manufacture, high resilient and has sufficient strength to transport heavy goods on.

It is also advantageous if the guide has an upper and a lower one Has opening. This makes it possible. both from above and from below into the Guide to insert the holding device. Slipping of the holding means is, for example. to be prevented by protruding parts welded to the holding means.

Another possibility of slipping through the holding means or rods avoid, is to provide a spacer, the leadership between has a passage barrier at the top and bottom opening. Also one of those Passage barrier, which is achieved, for example, by a welded-in plate, prevents the inserted holding means or rods from slipping are to be inserted into the guide until the passage is blocked.

The use of spacers with top and bottom opening allows to place another pallet on a pallet provided with brackets in order to to stack several pallets on top of each other. With such a type of The goods on the pallets are not stacked because the entire loads of the upper pallet is absorbed by the brackets. The The length of the holding means or rods is exactly the same as the loading volume Truck or special requirements for the presentation of goods adapt.

In particular, the use of spacers made of metal or especially hard materials allows the cross section of the spacer between Reduce footprint and loading area. A reduced cross section in This area increases the space for the tines to retract under the Loading area and thus facilitates the handling of the pallet.

One embodiment of the invention provides that the spacer is a first Holding plate for attaching the spacer to the loading area. A such a holding plate allows it. the guide in the extreme edge of the Arrange the pallet and at the same time ensure a secure hold on the Loading area.

If the pallet has a bearing surface on the base, it is advantageous if the spacer has a second holding plate for fastening has on this contact surface.

Both holding plates preferably have holes for screws over which the spacer in a simple manner with the loading surface or the support surface is to be connected.

It is also advantageous if the spacer with the top of the Loading area closes. This makes the usual DIN standards for pallets complied with and with the invention. Spacer provided pallets can therefore be used as standard pallets or using rods or Mounts can be used.

If the pallet has a support surface, the spacer should complete with the underside of the contact surface.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and will described in more detail below.

Figur 1

eine Palette mit dem eingebauten Distanzstück und

Figur 2

das Distanzstück.

It shows

Figure 1

a pallet with the built-in spacer and

Figure 2

the spacer.

The pallet 1 shown in Figure 1 has a loading area 2 and eight spacers 3 to 10, of which the spacers 3, 5, 7, 9 in the corners of the pallet 1 are formed according to the invention. These spacers serve the To keep the pallet at a distance above a base 11 so that a Lifting vehicle (not shown) in the distance between the loading area 2 and the Base 11 can retract with its tines to raise the pallet 1.

The spacers 4 and 8 connect the U-shaped pieces made of metal Loading area 2 with a support surface 12, which when the pallet 1 is parked on the base 11 rests and the cylindrical spacers 6 and 10 support the loading surface 2 against further bearing surfaces 13 and 14.

In the corners of the pallet 1 are the invention. Spacers 3, 5, 7 and 9 attached, one of which is drawn out enlarged in Figure 2 and in further explained.

The spacer 3 consists of an angled hollow profile 15, the Internal surfaces serve as a guide 16 for an insertable rod (not shown). Two plates 17 and 18 are spaced apart at right angles to the hollow profile 15 welded from each other. These plates have holes 19 to 24, with which the upper plate 17 can be screwed under the loading surface 2 of the pallet 1, while the lower plate 18 can be screwed onto a support surface 13, 14. The Position of the lower plate 18 is set so that one on the plate attached support surface flush with the lower end of the hollow profile 15 completes. The height of the upper plate 17 is set so that one on the Plate screwed on loading surface 2 flush with the upper end of the hollow profile 15 completes.

There is a recess 25 in the hollow profile 15 between the plates 17 and 18 provided, which is arranged. that easier with the tines of a lifting device can be moved into the space under the loading area 2.

In the plane of the lower plate 18, the guide 16 in the hollow profile 15 is through a plate 26 interrupted. This plate 26 prevents one in the guide 16 inserted rod slips through the hollow profile 15 and allows both from below into a lower opening 27 and from above into an upper one Insert a rod into the hollow profile 15.

When using a with the invention. Spacer provided Pallet 1 can use Pallet 1 like any other conventional pallet without holding means in the guide 16 of a spacer 3, 5, 7, 9th be used.

One with the invention. Spacers equipped with spacers allow in the guides 16 of the spacers rods or other holding means to be used to prevent goods loaded onto the pallet 1 from the pallet falls down. Intermediate shelves, grids, Boxes and baskets can be attached.

A particularly favorable design of rods that can be inserted into the guide 16 describes European patent application 614 794 A1, to which reference is made to the Formation of the rods is fully referenced.

Provided that at least three spacers in a pallet hold the same Length can be inserted, another can be on the upper end of the holding means Pallet are placed, which either serves only to increase stability or is reloaded. This means that several pallets are stacked one on top of the other possible without the weight of the upper pallet on the load of the lower Pallet loads. The length of the holding means is freely variable, so that the height several stackable pallets, for example, to the loading height of one Truck can be customized.

As these explanations show, a pallet with the invention is suitable. Spacers especially for transporting and presenting light or voluminous products, such as B. chips or coffee, cut flowers, plants or similar.

Claims (10)

1. A spacer (3, 5, 7, 9) for bridging the space between a base surface (11) and a loading surface (2) of a pallet (1), which features a guide element (16) perpendicular to the base surface (11), characterised in that the guide element (16) features at least one retaining plate (17, 18) for securing the spacer to a pallet (1).
2. The spacer according to Claim 1, characterised in that the guide element (16) features an upper aperture (28) and a lower aperture (27).
3. The spacer according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the guide element (16) features a blocking element (26) to prevent transitional movement between the upper aperture (28) and lower aperture (27).
4. The spacer according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the cross-section of the spacer is reduced between the base surface (11) and the loading surface (2).
5. The spacer according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the spacer features a first retaining plate (17) for securing the spacer to the loading surface (2).
6. The spacer according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the spacer features a second retaining plate (18) for securing the spacer to a contact surface (13, 14) capable of being laid on the base surface.
7. The spacer according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the retaining plates (17, 18) feature drillholes (19 to 24).
8. The spacer according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the spacer terminates with the top side of the ground surface (2).
9. The spacer according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the spacer terminates with the under side of a contact surface (13, 14).
10. A pallet (1) with a spacer (3) for bridging the space between the base surface (11) and the loading surface (2), whereby the spacer (3) features a guide element (16) perpendicular to the base surface (11), characterised in that the guide element (16) consists of an angled hollow profile element.

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