EP1178938A1

EP1178938A1 - A conveyer, carrier for a conveyer, and use of a conveyer

Info

Publication number: EP1178938A1
Application number: EP00912407A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Henning Rothmann Christensen
Original assignee: Henning Rothmann Christensen
Current assignee: PATRAVENTURE APS
Priority date: 1999-03-24
Filing date: 2000-03-23
Publication date: 2002-02-13
Also published as: AU3418500A; WO2000056640A1

Abstract

A conveyer for transport of goods comprising axles mounted perpendicular to the transport direction and connected by flexible connecting elements, wheels for support of said conveyer, and rollers to support said goods, wherein at least one wheel and at least one roller is mounted on each axle.

Description

A conveyer, carrier for a conveyer, and use of a conveyer

The invention relates to a conveyer for transport of goods according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a carrier for storage and transport of a con- veyer. Further, the invention relates to use of a conveyer.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

US patent No. 2,920,734 discloses a conveyer provided with one type of roller ele- ments mounted on axles, where the roller elements of the conveyer are intended for support of goods on the conveyer. Webbing bands extend between the outermost ends of axles, wherein the axles are fastened to the bands. The conveyer can be coiled up on a drum where volume of the coiled-up conveyer is minimised due to the roller assembly in staggered relation. Primarily, the conveyer is intended for transport of goods from one ship to another ship or to a quay platform in a harbour. However, that conveyer is unsuitable if the conveyer itself shall be moved on the platform independent of the transport of goods on the conveyer.

WO 94/1542 discloses a conveyer which can be moved on a supporting platform even when goods are transported on the conveyer. The conveyer is provided with a set of rollers to support the goods on the conveyer and a set of wheels to support the conveyer on the platform. The rollers and the wheels are mounted on a common rail but on different axles. However, when this conveyer is to be folded for storage or the like, it requires a large space, which is disadvantageous.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of he invention to provide a conveyer which is able to be moved easily on a supporting platform while goods are transported on the conveyer, and where the conveyer in a coiled-up situation requires very little space, so that it is easy to transport even relatively long conveyers. This object is achieved by a conveyer as mentioned by way of introduction characterised in that at least one wheel and at least one roller is mounted on each axle.

Preferably, two wheels are mounted on each axle. However, it is also possible to mount more than two wheels on each axle. Furthermore, it is possible to mount two wheels on each second axle and only one wheel on the remaining axles.

Because wheels and rollers are mounted on the same axles, the necessary space for the conveyer in a coiled-up condition is minimised.

In another embodiment of the invention, the diameters of said wheels are larger than the diameters of said rollers. When the conveyer is coiled-up, the diametrical space of the conveyer coil required is defined by the diameter of the wheels.

In a further embodiment of the invention, said wheels on said axles are assembled in staggered relation, such that for subsequent axles, the distances from an axle's end to said wheels on that axle alternate between two values, the alternation being larger than the width of the wheels. Because of the staggered relation in the wheel assembly, the required space of the conveyer in a coiled-up condition is minimised further.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the sum of the widths of the at least on wheel and the at least one roller on an axle corresponds approximately to the length of that axle. The width of the wheels is determined on the one hand by the required sta- bility of the conveyer according to the weight of the goods to be transported and on the other hand by the friction against the supporting platform on which the conveyer is uncoiled. The widths of the rollers are determined approximately by the remaining length of the axle after subtraction of the widths of the wheels mounted on the axle and the required room for mount of the flexible connecting elements.

In a further embodiment of the invention, each of said wheels and rollers comprise two shells with C-formed cross section combined around an axle, and that said shells preferably are supported by ball bearings against that axle. This way, mount and demount of wheels and rollers is relatively simple and does not necessitate a simultaneous demount of the flexible connecting elements.

In a further embodiment of the invention, said axles are provided with transversal holes, that said flexible connecting elements comprise wires, and that said wires extend through said holes. This principle is very simple and cheap, thus, reducing the necessary production costs.

In a further embodiment of the invention, said flexible connecting elements are provided with a plurality of connectors mechanically engagable with said ends of said axles. The connectors can be mounted to the axles, for example by screws extending into the end part of the axles. In case wheels or rollers have to be exchanged or repaired, the connector of the respective axle is removed, whereby the repair or ex- change can be accomplished in a fast and easy way.

The invention also embraces a carrier for storage and transport of a conveyer according to claim , wherein said carrier is provided with a rotatable drum for coiling up said conveyer, wherein said drum comprises means for rotating said drum. In a simple form, these means can be a simple rotation handle, but it is also possible to use an automatic rotation arrangement including an electric motor.

In a further embodiment of the invention, said carrier is provided with a first set of wheels for which the wheel axles are arranged in a line parallel with the rotation axis of said drum, wherein said carrier further is provided with at least one handle for transporting the carrier when in tilted transport conditions and resting solely on said first set of wheels.

In a further embodiment of the invention, said carrier has a second set of wheels with the wheel axles perpendicular to the rotation axis of said drum, wherein the carrier rests on said second set of wheels when not in a tilted transport condition. The carrier is transported to the location of interest manually and in tilted position. This can be close to a platform, for example on a truck. To adjust the position of the carrier sideways, the carrier is equipped with this second set of wheels allowing a sideways movement of the carrier in a simple way.

In a further embodiment of the invention, said carrier is provided with an adjustable chute for support of said conveyer between said drum and the platform on which said conveyer is uncoiled. Often, the carrier cannot be placed near enough to the platform to ensure, that the conveyer is uncoiled in an appropriate manner. To support the conveyer between the carrier and the platform, the carrier is provided with a chute, ad- justably forming a bridge between the carrier and the platform.

In a further embodiment of the invention, said chute comprises a first part rotatable around an axis parallel to said rotation axis of said drum and a second part as an extension to said first part pivotably mounted to said first part. By constructing the chute with two mutually pivoting parts, the chute functions as a bridge adaptable to even demanding conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a conveyer according to the invention as seen perpendicular to the transport direction,

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of an axle as seen n a direction parallel to the transport direction,

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a connector according to the invention, FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the conveyer,

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a conveyer with three wheels,

FIG. 6 is a side view of the centre wheel element,

FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of a first application of the invention,

FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing of a second application of the invention, FIG. 9 is a schematic drawing of a carrier for a conveyer,

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a release mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a possible embodiment of the conveyer according to the invention as seen from a direction perpendicular to the transport direction for goods on the conveyer. The transport direction is indicated by an arrow. The conveyer comprises wheels 1 mounted on end parts 4 of axles 3 and rollers 2 mounted between the wheels 1. The ends 6 of the axles 3 are connected by flexible connecting elements 7, which in the shown embodiment are wires, for example made of polymer material or steel.

The wheels 1 and rollers 2 have an outer diameter of C and c, respectively. The width of the wheels 1 is b and the width of the shown rollers 2 is B. Wheels 1 are assembled on the axles 3 in staggered relation, such that for subsequent axles 3, the distances from an axle's end 6 to said wheels on that axle 3 alternate between two values A and a, the alternation, which is the difference between A and a, being larger than the width b of the wheels 1.

FIG. 2 shows a conveyer according to an embodiment of the invention seen in a direction parallel to the direction for transport of goods 10. The axle 3 is provided with holes 8 through which the flexible connecting elements 7 extend. The axles 3 are fastened to the flexible connecting elements 7, for example, by gluing or welding in order to maintain the distance G, see FIG. 1, between subsequent axles 3.

The flexible connecting elements 7 can also be fastened to the axles 3 in an alternative way as illustrated on FIG. 3, showing a cross section of a connector 16. The connector

16 comprises a cap 17, for example made of polymer or metal, fastened to the flexible connecting element 7, for example by gluing or welding. The connector 16 is mounted to the axle 3 by a screw or bolt 19 extending through a hole 18 in the connector 16 and into the end part 4 of the axle 3. In case that wheels 1 or rollers 2 have to be ex- changed or repaired, the connector 16 of the respective axle 3 is removed, whereby the repair or exchange can be accomplished in a fast and easy way. Also, the time for in- dustrial production of conveyers is faster than if wires are pulled through holes 8 at the ends 4 of axles 3 and fastened to the axles 3 afterwards.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an axle 3 to show how wheels 1 and rollers 2 can be sup- ported by ball bearings 1 1 against that axle 3. The balls 1 1 are hold between a first groove 12 provided around the circumference 13 of the axle 3 and a second groove 15, 12 inside 14 a wheel 1 or roller 2, respectively.

Each of the wheels 1 and rollers 2 can comprise two shells with C-formed cross sec- tion combined around an axle 3 and held together by countersunk screws or bolts. This way, mount and demount of wheels 1 and rollers 2 is relatively simple and does not necessitate a simultaneous demount of the flexible connecting elements 7.

Also, other types of ball bearings can be provided between wheels 1 and axles 3 and between rollers 2 and axles 3 , for example ball bearings, where the balls are hold in a stationary ring and where the ring is placed in a recess in the wheels 1 and rollers 2 and secured by outer caps mounted to the ends of the wheels 1 and rollers 2.

In the shown embodiment on FIG 1, only one roller with a width B and two wheels with width b are mounted on the axle. Alternatively, it is possible to mount a different number of wheels 1 and rollers 2 on an axle 3. In FIG. 5, a conveyer is shown with three wheels 1, 41 and two rollers 2 on each axle. This way, the conveyer is suited also for heavy goods 37, eventually on a pallet 38 with side supports 39 and a central support 40. Such a conveyer can also be used to transport goods 10 in one direction on one side of the conveyer and in a counter direction on the other side of the conveyer.

The centre wheel 41 could also be of the same type as the wheels 1 at the axles' 3 end parts 4.

An example of a possible centre wheel 41 construction is shown in FIG. 6 in greater detail. The centre wheel 41 is held in a centre wheel arrangement 36 which also holds two ball bearings or roller bearings 42 to support the rollers 2. The centre wheel arrangement 36 is fixed to the axle 3 by fasteners 42 extending through the centre wheel arrangement 36. It is furthermore possible, that flexible connecting elements 7 extend through the centre wheel arrangement 36 in order to connect the central parts 5 of subsequent axles 3.

Though the shown wheels 1 and rollers 2 have a rectangular cross section, it is within the scope of the invention that other shapes are possible, for example wheels and rollers with rounded edges or elliptical cross section. Furthermore, rollers can have undulating surfaces.

FIG. 7 shows a conveyer in a market garden as a first application of the invention, where plants 29 in plant boxes 28. A carrier 20 according to the invention is provided with a drum 21, onto which the conveyer is coiled. The carrier has a first set of wheels 22 and a set of handles 23 for transportation of the carrier 20. For safety, the carrier 20 is equipped with a wheel brake to prohibit the carrier 20 to roll away from the in- tended parking position. The drum 21 is equipped with a rotation handle 24 for rotation of the drum 21, when the conveyer is to be coiled-up on the drum 21 of the carrier 20. To ease uncoiling of the conveyer from the carrier 20, the carrier 20 can be equipped with a chute 25 connected (not shown) to the carrier 20. The chute 25 may, for example, rest on the edge 26 of a platform 27 when the conveyer is uncoiled unto the platform 27.

Other applications of a conveyer according to the invention are possible including indoor and outdoor use of other kinds of industry or private use. The carrier 20 may also be constructed differently within the scope of the invention, for example, it could be larger and pulled by a tractor, or it could be an installed part on a lorry.

Another application of the conveyer and carrier is shown in FIG. 8. The conveyer is uncoiled onto the ground 34 from the drum 30 on a carrier 31 placed on a lorry platform 33. The carrier 31 can easily be put into the right place and moved on the lorry platform 33 by means of the wheels 32 under the carrier 31, wherein the wheels 32 are provided with brakes for securing the carrier 31. Boxes 35 are placed on the conveyer and can be transported to and from the lorry platform 33 by manual or automatic means.

In FIG. 9, an alternative embodiment of the carrier 20 is shown. The carrier 20 is equipped with a drum 21 for storage of the conveyer, wherein the drum 21 comprises means for rotating said drum. In a simple form, these means can be a simple rotation handle 24, but it is also possible to use an automatic rotation arrangement including an electric motor. Transport 23 handles can be used to hold the carrier 20 in a tilted position, thus rolling on the first set of wheels 22 for transportation of the carrier 20 with or without the conveyer.

The carrier 20 is also provided with a chute 25 having a first part 36 rotatable around an axis parallel to said rotation axis of said drum 21 and a second part 37 as an extension to said first part 36 pivotably mounted to said first part 36. By constructing the chute 25 with two mutually pivoting parts 36, 37, the chute 25 functions as a bridge adaptable to even demanding conditions. Thus, the chute 25 is applicable for situations, where the conveyer is uncoiled onto the ground 34, as shown in FIG. 8b, and also if the supporting platform is a table platform 27 with a high border at the edge 26 as shown n FIG. 8c.

In a further embodiment of the invention, said carrier 20 has a second set of wheels 38 with the wheel axles perpendicular to the rotation axis of said drum 21 , as shown in FIG. 8d. The carrier 20 rests on said second set of wheels 38, for example four wheels, when not in a tilted transport condition. The carrier 20 is transported to the location of interest manually in tilted position. This can be close to a platform, for example on a truck. To adjust the position of the carrier 20 sideways, the carrier 20 is equipped with this second set of wheels 38 allowing a sideways movement of the carrier 20 in a simple way.

The rotation of the drum 21 of the carrier 20 can be manual by a rotation handle 24 or by automatic means, for example an electric motor. Also the transport of the carrier 20 itself can be automatic, for example by means of electric motors functionally connected to the wheels of the carrier.

It is within the scope of the invention to provide bands or foils between the rollers 2 in order to cover the space between the rollers 2 of subsequent axles 3. This embodiment allows small articles as for example fruit to be transported on the conveyer.

FIG. 10 shows a release mechanism 39 at the end of the conveyer, wherein said release mechanism 39 comprises a mount 40 pivoting between a barrier position and a release position. The mount 40 in a barrier position, as shown on FIG. 10 functions as a barrier to prohibit said goods 10 to roll down from the end of said conveyer. When the mount 40 is in the release position, the mount 40 constitutes an extension of the conveyer allowing goods 10 to run down from the end of the conveyer. The release mechanism comprises a protruding release arm 41, which at contact with a wall or likewise at the end of the conveyer causes the mount 40 to change from the barrier to the release position. When in barrier position, the mount 40 is held in place by a spring 42. When the arm 41 is pushed against a wall, the arm 41 forces the mount 40 to rotate around a pivot axis 43, whereby the spring 42 is turned over the dead point and contracts so that the mount 40 is forced into the release position.

When the conveyer is uncoiled onto a platform, goods can be placed on the conveyer already before the conveyer is uncoiled sufficiently. Goods 10 cannot roll down from the conveyer due to the release mechanism 40 in barrier position. When the conveyer end with the release mechanism 40 hits a wall, the release mechanism 40 is forced into the release position. Thereafter, the conveyer can be pulled back, while the goods 10 roll down from the end of the conveyer during this action. LIST OF ITEMS

1. wheel

2. roller 3. axle

4. axle end-part

5. axle centre

6. axle's end

7. flexible connecting elements 8. hole in end-part of axle

9. support

10. goods

11. ball

12. groove in roller 13. outer circumference

14. inner wall of wheel

15. groove in roller or wheel

16. connector

17. cap 18. hole through connector

19. bolt

20. carrier

21. drum

22. first set of wheels 23. transport handle

24. drum rotation handle

25. chute

26. edge

27. platform 28. plant box

29. plants 30. drum

31. carrier

32. first set of wheels

33. truck body 34. ground surface

35. box

36. first part of chute

37. second part of chute

38. second set of wheels 39. release mechanism

40. mount

41. release arm

42. spring

43. pivot axis

Claims

1. A conveyer for transport of goods ( 10) comprising axles (2) mounted perpendicular to the transport direction and connected by flexible connecting elements (7), wheels (1) for support of said conveyer, and rollers (2) to support said goods (10), characterised in that at least one wheel (1) and at least one roller (2) is mounted on each axle (3).

2. A conveyer according to claim 1 characterised in that the diameters of said wheels ( 1 ) are larger than the diameters of said rollers (2).

3. A conveyer according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that said wheels (1) on said axles (3) are assembled in staggered relation, such that for subsequent axles (3), the distances from an axle's end (6) to said wheels (1) on that axle (3) alternate between two values, the alternation being larger than the width of the wheels (1).

4. A conveyer according to claim 1 -3 characterised in that the sum of the widths of the at least one wheel (1) and the at least one roller (2) on an axle (3) corresponds approximately to the length of that axle (3).

5. A conveyer according to claim l - 4 characterised in that each of said wheels (1) and/or rollers (2) comprise two shells with C-formed cross section combined around an axle (3), and that said shells preferably are supported by ball bearings against that axle (3).

6. A conveyer according to claim 1 -5 characterised in that said axles (3) are provided with transversal holes (8), that said flexible connecting elements (7) comprise wires extending through said holes (8).

7. A conveyer according to claim l -5characterised in that said flexible connecting elements (7) are provided with a plurality of connectors (16) mechanically engagable with said ends (6) of said axles (3).

8. A conveyer according to claim 1 -7 characterised in that said conveyer further comprises a release mechanism (39) at the end of said conveyer, wherein said release mechanism (39) comprises a mount (40) pivoting or sliding between a barrier position and a release position, wherein said mount (40) in said barrier position functions as a barrier for said goods (10) prohibiting said goods (10) to roll down from the end of said conveyer.

9. A carrier (20) for storage and transport of a conveyer according to claim 1 - 8 characterised in that said carrier (20) is provided with a rotatable drum (21) for coiling up said conveyer, wherein said drum (21) comprises means (23) for rotat- ing said drum (21).

10. A carrier (20) according to claim 9characterised in that said carrier (20) is provided with a first set of wheels (22) for which the wheel axles are arranged in a line parallel with the rotation axis of said drum (21), wherein said carrier further is pro- vided with at least one handle (23) for transporting the carrier (20) when in tilted transport conditions and resting solely on said first set of wheels (22).

11. A carrier (20) according to claim 9orl0characterised in that said carrier (20) has a second set of wheels (38) with the wheel axles perpendicular to the rotation axis of said drum (21), wherein the carrier (20) rests on said second set of wheels (38) when not in a tilted transport condition.

12. A carrier (20) according to claim 9- 11 characterised in that said carrier (20) is provided with an adjustable chute (25) for support of said conveyer between said drum (21 ) and the platform (27) on which said conveyer is uncoiled.

13. A carrier (20) according to claim 12characterised in that said chute (25) comprises a first part (36) rotatable around an axis parallel to said rotation axis of said drum (21) and a second part (37) as an extension to said first part (36) pivotably mounted to said first part (36).