EP0949182B1 - Transport device for containers receiving material - Google Patents

Abstract

With a descending movement of the load arms(6) the load holders(8) are pivoted by protrusions(3) on the sides of the pallet from a first position lying in the vertical direction inside the cross sectional area of the protrusions to a second position located outside this cross sectional area. With an ascending movement of the load arms switching elements located above the load holders on swinging arms(7) are brought into a position in which the load holders are externally guided around the protrusions.

Description

The invention relates to a transport device comprising a lifting system and containers for receiving the material, the containers at least two substantially vertical, opposite one another Side parts and on the outside at least one projection each have the engagement of every second load and each side part at least one load arm is assigned to a lifting system Loads at the bottom of one are essentially vertical extending swivel arm are arranged as well as the swivel arm with its other end on the load arm rotatable about a horizontal axis is articulated to adjust the load capacity between one Position horizontally next to the protrusions and one position below the ledges.

Various types of containers come into this context into question, for example, how they are created by boxes or crates, pallets, mesh boxes, Cassettes or yokes are given. It is only essential that the containers have at least two opposite side parts exhibit. As for the materials contained in the containers concerns, this can be solids in the form of components, piece goods etc., however, are equally bulk goods. Come in particular without restricting the subject matter of the invention as material metal rods question how they are stored with the help of cassettes or yokes and are transported especially in connection with a Stock for rod-shaped material for the supply of cutting machines in the form of band saws or cold circular saws for cutting pieces of material from such a rod-shaped material. In this context, a transport device is the beginning mentioned type known from EP 0 770 564 A2. It solves the task a simple and stable recording of yokes for their automated Handling by the lifting system both in terms of yokes aligned with one another as well as with regard to several stacked yokes. However, this requires actuation the corresponding electrical, hydraulic load-bearing or pneumatic actuators, which is portable in a special case, in the general area of application for various containers the facility, however, often too expensive and complicated, if the control devices required for the actuating means included in the consideration.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a transport device at the beginning to design differently in such a way that in particular also for general or simple applications of the load receptacles on site without the need for a supply of External energy and actuating means operated by this is possible. there the design to be carried out in this context should be simple, robust and reliable and with regard to the production costs without be special influence.

This object is achieved in that a downward Movement of the load arms the load supports from a - based on the projection in a horizontal plane - in the projection surfaces of the protrusions located first position by the protrusions into a second one outside of these projection surfaces Are pivotable position that on the swivel arms above the Load shifts switching parts are arranged and that at an upward going Movement of the load arms the switching parts through the protrusions in a covering the load receptacles against the projections and outside leading position can be brought.

These measures according to the invention have the effect that when Lowering the load arms the load receptacles through the protrusions be pushed aside and so around the protrusions can move. Do they when the load arms move downwards If the projections happen, they fall due to the influence of gravity back into the vertical cross-sectional area of the protrusions, so that after lifting the load arms now the projections reach under and pick up the respective container for transport can.

Should this operative connection between load receptacles and containers for example, after the containers have been removed the load arms are lowered further with the Consequence that the switching parts mentioned by the projections in one Load positions covering position are brought. Will now the load arms are raised again, so the projections slide the switching parts and thus the swivel arms and those sitting on them Load supports aside, so that the load supports at their Movement upwards around the protrusions and thus get rid of these and the containers.

The mechanics described obviously work automatically on site, so that no actuating means are required for the movement of the load receptacles, that depend on the controlled supply of external energy. in the the device according to the invention is otherwise in principle structurally simple and by the presence of less moving parts also insensitive to impairments and therefore reliable.

As far as the adjustability of the load suspension is concerned, this can be done in the aligned essentially perpendicular but also parallel to the side parts be, depending on how the spatial conditions in the individual case in particular for the adjustment of the load receptacles Design available space. In the case of the vertical to the side parts adjustable load supports that everyone Load part assigned to the side part to a correspondingly wider Load absorption can be summarized without the Tipping safety for the containers would be impaired.

It is useful that each side part two in the horizontal direction has projections arranged side by side, so that for each A separate lead is available for load picking, with which in particular there is a high level of safety against tipping over for the containers especially when the containers are horizontal through the lifting system Movements are accelerated positively or negatively.

In all cases, it is generally appropriate to have the protrusions in to arrange the same altitude in order for the device according to the invention to enable a symmetrical structure.

So that the load pickups when the load arms move downwards easily through the protrusions while at the same time corresponding Swivel movement of the swivel arms pushed aside and around the Projections can be led around, it is advantageous that the Load pickups via an obliquely upward, to the assigned Sloping surface with projections with the swivel arms are connected. Then when the load arms move downwards they run these inclined surfaces on the projections and slide on the corresponding one Edge of the protrusions until at the end of the Sliding surfaces connect the load receptacles, now according to the corresponding Movement of the swivel arms is outside the vertical Cross-sectional area of the projections. It is of course, that the inclined surfaces are given a helix angle the high friction forces or prevents the risk of jamming.

In a further development of the subject matter of the invention, it is also expedient that the switching parts about a horizontal axis against a Restoring force rotatable from a basic position on the swivel arms are stored and that the switching parts at a further downward Movement of the load arms through the projections from the Basic position can be turned aside and then upwards ongoing movement of the load arms through the projections from the Home position in the opposite direction in which the load receptacles covering position are rotatable.

The switching parts, which are essentially in the form of a jack or one Switch cam can have, so by means of the restoring force in itself on the swivel arms in a neutral basic position held. Run with the corresponding downward movement of the Load arms from above onto the protrusions, so they are against the Restoring force pivoted aside so that it is on the projections sliding these can happen to subsequently by the restoring force to be swiveled back to the basic position with which they are now below the protrusions. Will now the load arms are raised, the switching parts run from below against the ledges and are thereby in opposite Direction in such a way sliding them around the protrusions Position pivoted that the swivel arms and those on them seated load receptacles around the projections become.

To secure the latter position so that the load receptacles cannot collide with the protrusions, the can on the restoring force acting a corresponding size are given. However, it is advantageous that the switching parts their position covering the load bearing in the system Load pickups are so large that they are At least the top edges of the load receptacles in the direction of the projections cover if not towering over anything.

Is made use of the possibility of lifting the load their locking and unlocking perpendicular to the projections to move to the side parts of the containers so it can it should also be expedient that with parallel to the side parts arranged axes of rotation of the swivel arms and the switching parts the load receptacles assigned to each side part on a common one Swivel arm and the associated load receptacles Switching parts are arranged on a common shaft. hereby the construction is particularly simple. It would also enable the shaft and thus the switching parts by an additional, for example arranged between the projections To operate the switching part accordingly, so that the first mentioned Switching parts during the downward movement of the load arms not through the Projections would have to be swung aside, with what the design of these first switching parts a certain Freedom would be gained. For the additional switching part, however, would be an additional switch cam on the respective side part of the containers required so that you can use this solution only in special cases Would make use of.

The restoring force for the switching parts can by at least indirectly springs attacking them, supported on the swivel arms be formed and there can be systems from switching parts and springs in the basic position of the switching parts in the equilibrium state are located. For this purpose, the springs on the switch parts supporting Attack waves accordingly.

The projections of the side parts can be open in the vertical direction Have hollow cross-section and it can be free, with the projections engaging ends of the load suspension with a be provided with a protruding nose. Grab with that nose then the load receptacles when lifting the containers into the hollow cross section of the protrusions so that the containers from the load receptacles are secured against slipping.

As far as the lifting system is concerned, this can essentially be one extending over the length of the containers between their side parts, have height-adjustable walking beams and it can the ends of the walking beam associated with the side parts from the walking beam in the vertical plane of the assigned side parts downwardly extending load arms. This design is for example useful for holding box-shaped containers, especially for picking up long pallets where the end faces are provided with the projections.

However, several are possibly next to each other with a spacing positioned and with each other in terms of their side parts aligned containers provided, for example a number by Jochen, who together take up a bundle of rod-shaped material, so the lifting system can be conveniently one on the Width of all containers, height-adjustable walking beams have, on the sides of which the side parts of the containers assigned, itself from the walking beam in the vertical plane in the assigned Projections downwardly extending load arms are attached.

When looking at the subject of the invention so far, it is always just handling one container or a series of in one Containers arranged horizontally were assumed. It However, there are also applications in which, in particular, similar ones Containers are stacked on top of each other and the There is a wish, for example two or three containers at the same time to lift and transport. In this case can be provided be that the load arms above the load supports the height bridging at least two standing containers have free length. This allows the load arms to move as far as possible be driven down that the load receptacles, for example, the projections two containers standing on top of each other happen before they both containers by reaching under the protrusions of the lower one Can lift container.

In this context, however, there is also the possibility that the load pickup multiple swivel arms with load pickups and Switch parts for the projections of containers standing on top of each other exhibit. This somewhat more complicated solution is particularly recommended when large and heavy containers are to be handled because now distribute their weight over a larger number of load supports can. To get out of dimensional tolerances with regard to uniform To anticipate the load distribution resulting uncertainties, it can finally be advantageous that the mutual distance above one another arranged load receptacles of a load arm at least slightly greater than the mutual spacing of the projections Containers is.

Figur 1

die Seitenansicht eines Stapels übereinander angeordneter Behältnisse zusammen mit den erfindungsgemäßen Transportvorrichtungsteilen;

Figur 2

teilweise den Bereich II in Figur 1 in vergrößerter Einzeldarstellung;

Figur 3

eine Stirnansicht des Gegenstandes gemäß Figur 2;

Figur 4

eine vergrößerte Ansicht der Lastaufnahme gemäß Figur 2;

Figur 5

eine vergrößerte Ansicht dieser Lastaufnahme gemäß Figur 3 und

Figur 6 bis Figur 21

die Arbeitsweise der Lastaufnahmemittel in der Darstellung gemäß Figur 2 und 3.

Further features and details essential to the invention result from the following description of an embodiment which is shown in the drawing. The drawing shows:

Figure 1

the side view of a stack of containers arranged one above the other together with the transport device parts according to the invention;

Figure 2

partially the area II in Figure 1 in an enlarged detail;

Figure 3

an end view of the object according to Figure 2;

Figure 4

an enlarged view of the load bearing according to Figure 2;

Figure 5

an enlarged view of this load bearing according to Figure 3 and

Figure 6 to Figure 21

the mode of operation of the load suspension device in the illustration according to FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 1 shows a stack of containers arranged one above the other in Form of elongated cassettes 1 for holding material, for example in the form of bars of metal. The cassettes 1 with their End walls 2 opposite side parts, with horizontal protruding projections 3 are provided, over which they are gripped and can be transported.

This is done, for example, by means of ropes 4 on a not shown Lifting system struck walking beam 5, from the ends of which Load arms 6 extend vertically downwards, which extend over swivel arms 7 at the end wear hook-shaped load receptacles 8, which with the Projections 3 can be brought into engagement. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the load arms 6 are so long that they are vertical can run over several pallets 1, so that the projections the bottom cassette also a stack of several one above the other Cassettes can be lifted and transported.

For a more detailed explanation of the load suspension device, Figure 2 shows in Enlarged view partly of section II according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 shows the end view of the object according to FIG. 2. Here it can be seen that the side parts 2 over the height of the pallets 1st extended like a sword, on the other hand accordingly end with its lower edge 9 above the lower edge 10 of the cassette 1, so that stacked cassettes 1 with respect to each other Slipping are positively secured. The figures also show 2 and 3 that the projections 3 have a hollow cross section open in the vertical direction form, in which the hook-shaped load receptacles 8 also intervene positively.

Figures 2 and 3 together with their enlarged partial representations in Figures 4 and 5 recognize that the load pickups 8 are located at the lower end of the swivel arms 7, the Swivel arms 7 can be pivoted on the load arms 6 via a shaft 11 are stored and hang down vertically from them in such a way that the load receptacles 8 in the vertical cross-sectional area are located above the projections 8.

On the swivel arms 7 are above the load receptacles 8 to the shaft 11 parallel shaft 12 a pair of pawl-shaped Switching parts 13 pivotally mounted, each switching part 13 one Load pickup 8 is assigned. Usually they are Switching parts 13 in the basic position shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, in which it is held by a restoring force in the form of a spring 14 be, which is stored at 15 on the swivel arm 7 and attacks at 16 on the shaft 12, being for the said basic position the articulation point 16 is the surface area closest to the abutment 15 the shaft 17.

As FIGS. 2 to 5 show, each side part 2 of the cassettes 1 equipped with two spaced apart projections 3, to be able to hold the cassette 1 securely. this A load bearing 8 is assigned to each protrusion, the one Side part 2 assigned load receptacles 8 on a common Swivel arm 7 are attached by the swivel arm 7 at the bottom End has a horizontally extending inclined surface 17, of the load receptacles 8 upwards towards the switching parts 13 protrude.

The load arms 6 are also at their lower end with one of the side parts 2 provided inclined surface 18, which together with the sword-shaped extension of the side parts 2 that aligned threading of the load arms 6 along the side parts 2 facilitated.

The switching parts 13 extend from their one as possible large distance from the load arms 6 Shaft 12 essentially in the direction of the load arms 6 so far that them in their pivoting in the direction to be shown below to the load bearing 8 against the action of the restoring force of the Spring 14 come into contact with the load supports 8 from above and cover them upwards, then through the top edge 19 of the switching parts 13 one of the load receptacles 8 and Load arms 6 formed, inclined surface rising upwards is, whose task also from the following description is clear, which now describes the operation of the so far described Device explained with reference to Figures 6 to 21.

As FIGS. 6 and 7 show, the load arms 6 are on it Drive down, with the load-bearing 8 sliding surfaces 17 from above onto the load supports 3 and on these have slid along so that they have the swivel arms 7 around their Articulation 11 on the load arms 6 from the side parts 2 of the pallets 1 have swung away. This allows the load supports 8 Move around the protrusions 3 on the outside until they correspond 8 and 9 reach below the projections 3. Since the load receptacles 8 are released from the projections 3 here the swivel arms 7 can be returned to their original, Swing back vertically hanging position, at the load receptacles 8 are located below the projections 3.

If now the load arms 6 in the visible from Figures 10 and 11 Can be moved upwards, the load receptacles 8 from below into the hollow cross section of the projections, which is open in the vertical direction 3 retract, so that now by lifting the load beam 5 the affected cassette 1 can be raised with the aid of the lifting system can.

If the locking mechanism described in this way is to be released again, then the load arms 6 in the manner shown in Figures 12 and 13 drove again and further down. The Switching parts 13 through the projections 3 around their through the shaft 12 shown axis against the restoring action of the spring 14 from its Basic position swiveled away so that it correspondingly on the projections 3 come over.

Have the switching parts 13 in the described downward Movement passes the projections 3, so they snap by action the spring 14 in the manner shown in Figure 14 back in their basic position back. Now the load arms 6 in the Figure 15 clearly moved up again, so run Switching parts 13 from below against the projections 3 and are in opposite Direction against the restoring force of the spring 14 with her free end pivoted towards the load receptacles 8, against which they are finally shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 Way come into contact, the edge 19 of the switching parts 13 a from the load receptacles 8 and the load arms 6 continuously upwards form directed slant. This slope slides with further upward movement the load arms 6 along the lower edge of the projections 3, whereby the swivel arms 7 and thus the load receptacles 8 be pivoted away by the load arms 6 so that the load receptacles 8 can move around the projections 3 outside. This The process is shown step by step in FIGS. 18 to 21.

In the further, no longer shown course of the movement mentioned the load arms 6 are then lifted upwards from the cassette 1, the cassette is therefore set down at the desired location. As can be seen, it is with the device described possible without the need for external energy Positioning devices containers by simple movements of the lifting system pick up, transport, and set down again. there can also in the manner described with reference to Figure 1 containers stacked on top of each other are conveyed at the same time.

In the described embodiment, the load pickups are in one to the side parts 2 vertically directed manner and movable around the protrusions. Of course it is to achieve the same result in that the load receptacles are moved parallel to the side parts 2, but usually for this each load suspension of its own swivel arm together with a switching part mounted on it.

Claims (19)

1. Transport arrangement comprising a lifting device and containers for receiving material, wherein the containers (1) have at least two substantially vertical side parts (2) lying opposite one another and each having on their outer face at least one projection (3) for the engagement in each case of two load bearing means (8), and wherein at least one load arm (6) of the lifting device is co-ordinated with each side part (2), the load bearing means (8) are disposed on the lower end of a pivot arm (7) which extends substantially vertically and the pivot arm (7) is articulated with its other end on the load arm (6) so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis for adjustment of the load bearing means (8) between a position horizontally adjacent to the projections (3) and a position below the projections (3), characterised in that during a downward movement of the load arms (6) the load bearing means (8) are pivotable out of a first position located in the projection surfaces of the projections (3) - based upon the projection in a horizontal plane - by the projections (3) and into a second position located outside these projection surfaces, that switching components (13) are disposed on the pivot arms (7) above the load bearing means (8) and that during an upward movement of the load arms (6) the switching components (13) can be brought by the projections (3) into a position where they cover the load bearing means (8) against the projections (3) and are guided around the outside of the projections (3).
2. Transport arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the load bearing means (8) can be adjusted substantially perpendicular to the side parts (2).
3. Transport arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the load bearing means co-ordinated with each side part are combined into a correspondingly wide load bearing means.
4. Transport arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the load bearing means can be adjusted substantially parallel to the side parts (2).
5. Transport arrangement as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that each side part (2) has to projections (3) disposed adjacent to one another in the horizontal direction.
6. Transport arrangement as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the projections (3) are disposed at the same height.
7. Transport arrangement as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the load bearing means (8) are connected to the pivot arms (7) by way of an inclined surface (17) which is directed obliquely upwards and directed towards the associated projections (3).
8. Transport arrangement as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the switching components (13) are mounted on the pivot arms (7) so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis (12) against a restoring force out of a basic position, and that during a further downward movement of the load arms (6) the switching components (13) can be turned aside out of the basic position by the projections (3) and during subsequent upward movement of the load arms (3) the switching components (13) can be turned by the projections (3) out of the basic position in the opposite direction into the position where they cover the load bearing means (8).
9. Transport arrangement as claimed in Claim 8, characterised in that the switching components (13) rest on the load bearing means (8) in the position where they cover the load bearing means (8).
10. Transport arrangement as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that with the axes of rotation (11, 12) of the pivot arms (7) and of the switching components (13) disposed parallel to the side parts (2), the load bearing means (8) co-ordinated with each side part (2) are disposed on a common pivot arm (7) and the switching components (13) co-ordinated with these load bearing means (8) are disposed on a common shaft (12).
11. Transport arrangement as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the restoring force for the switching components (13) is produced by springs (14) which act at least indirectly on them and abut the pivot arms (7), and that the systems consisting of switching components (13) and springs (14) are in a state of balance in the basic position of the switching components (13).
12. Transport arrangement as claimed in Claim 11, characterised in that the springs (14) act on the shafts bearing the switching components.
13. Transport arrangement as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the projections (3) of the side parts (2) have a hollow cross-section which is open in the vertical direction.
14. Transport arrangement as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the free ends of the load bearing means (8) which come into engagement with the projections (3) are provided with an upwardly projecting lug.
15. Transport arrangement as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the lifting device has a vertically movable lifting beam extending substantially over the length of the containers (1) between the side parts (2), and that the load arms (6) which are co-ordinated with the side parts (2) and extend downwards from the lifting beam in the vertical plane of the associated side parts (2) are fixed on the ends of the lifting beam (5).
16. Transport arrangement as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 14, characterised in that in the case of a plurality of containers (1) which if need be are position adjacent to one another with reciprocal spacing and are aligned with one another with regard to their side parts (2), the lifting device has a vertically movable lifting beam which extends over the width of all the containers (1), and that the load arms which are co-ordinated with the side parts (2) of the containers (1) and extend downwards from the lifting beam in the vertical plane of the associated projections (3) are fixed on the sides of the lifting beam.
17. Transport arrangement as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 16, characterised in that above the load bearing means (8) the load arms (6)have a free length which bridges the height of at least two containers (1) standing one above the other.
18. Transport arrangement as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 17, characterised in that the load arms (6) have a plurality of pivot arms (7) one above the other with load bearing means (8) and switching components (13) for the projections (3) of containers (1) standing one above the other.
19. Transport arrangement as claimed in one or more of Claims 1 to 18, characterised in that the reciprocal spacing of load bearing means (8) disposed one above the other of a load arm (6) is at least slightly greater than the reciprocal spacing of the projections (3) of containers (1) standing one above the other.

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