EP1899254A1

EP1899254A1 - Device and method for lifting a layer of stones

Info

Publication number: EP1899254A1
Application number: EP06753515A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hans Gebhart; Martin Rothdach; Hermann Sauter
Original assignee: Baustoffwerke Gebhart and Soehne GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Baustoffwerke Gebhart and Soehne GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2005-05-21
Filing date: 2006-05-09
Publication date: 2008-03-19
Also published as: US20080197644A1; CA2609232A1; DE102005023487A1; WO2006125520A1

Abstract

A device for lifting a layer of stones, particularly of artificially aged cast concrete stones, clinker bricks or natural stones, comprises a vacuum device with a suction opening for drawing up the stones. The suction opening (4) obtains, by means of changeable template elements (5), a pattern consisting of closed and open suction areas (6, 7). The created pattern is essentially adapted to the respective layer of stones (1) to be lifted, and concentrates the suction power of the vacuum device, in essence, onto the upper surfaces of the stones.

Description

Device and method for lifting a layer of stones

The invention relates to a device for lifting a layer of stones, according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention also relates to a method for lifting a layer of bricks according to the preamble of claim 21.

Stones, for example covering elements, facade elements, sand-lime bricks, concrete blocks, bricks or brick clinker, natural stones and the like, in particular concrete paving stones, are generally produced in layers, further treated or stored and stored. The transport from the factory to the customer is usually carried out by stacking the stones one above the other in layers.

In the case of large format plates, ie plates in which four or six plates usually give an area of one square meter, the use of a vacuum device for lifting them is known. The vacuum device in this case has individual suction elements, which can be aligned directly on the plates. Also possible is the use of a large suction plate, which is aligned with the four or six plates. Although a certain suction power between the plates is lost or remains unused, this can be compensated for by means of a correspondingly high suction power in such a way that the stones can nevertheless be lifted. A problem may be a lifting of the large-sized stones, if they are heavily polluted. An insert of such a vacuum device is only possible with large format plates. In normal concrete paving stones, which are usually made of small sized stones of various sizes, eg 20 x 20, 20 x 10, 17 x 17, 10 x 10 and the like, such a vacuum device can not be used because of the loss between the stones suction power is so high that the stones can not be raised reliably. Among other things, it is problematic here that the layers can consist continuously of stones of different sizes which, in addition, can have different contours, for example square, rectangular, polygonal or round. The individual stone layers can also vary in their overall size and be formed in themselves from different stone formats, so that the proportion of "Leerabsaugung", ie the area in which the suction port of the vacuum device hits no stone is disproportionately high.

For individual intake of small-sized elements, which are arranged in one layer, there are solutions outside the stone production, which provide a suction plate with, for example, 100 or 200 micro-openings, each micro-opening having a valve. About a corresponding electronics can be opened through the valves, the smallest openings, which is associated with an element to be lifted. The unneeded micro-openings are closed or switched off. Such solutions, which may work in other industries, however, can not be used in the field of stone production or are subject to a high susceptibility. In stone production, especially when the stones are reworked to lose their artificial appearance, a large amount of dust is created, causing valves and thin lines to clog quickly and therefore to be maintenance-intensive. In order If they can be used in stone production, they must be robust and not susceptible to the environmental conditions associated with stone production.

The present invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device and a method for lifting different layers of stones, especially small-sized concrete paving stones in a simple and cost-effective manner.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the device according to claim 1.

According to the invention this object is also achieved by the method according to claim 21.

The stencil element produces a pattern of closed and open suction regions adapted to the respective layer of stones to be lifted, the suction power of the vacuum device being substantially concentrated on the stone surfaces. In the areas in which the suction opening is not facing a stone to be lifted, closed areas are formed by the template element, so that no suction power is lost. In this way, gaps between the stones and possibly also the edge region of the stones can be closed accordingly. In a simple manner, without the use of correspondingly failure-prone valves and a large number of micro-suction openings, it is thus achieved that even small-sized bricks of a layer of bricks can be reliably lifted. Any existing between the stones distance can be maintained, since a manual or hydraulic pushing together of the stones is not necessary. By virtue of the fact that the template element can be exchanged, a corresponding template element can be supplied in each case depending on the position of stones to be lifted of the suction opening, which in turn generates a pattern of closed and open suction regions, which is essentially adapted to the position of stones to be lifted and the suction power accordingly concentrated on the stone surfaces.

A single vacuum device is thus sufficient to reliably lift a variety of different layers of stones, both in terms of their overall layer size and in terms of size and circumference of the individual stones. Even stones or layers of stones with special formats can be easily raised.

It is particularly advantageous that the template elements can be continuously adapted to the different layers of stones. The production process is thus not disturbed.

Although numerous variations of stone formats are known on the market, most of the stone layers can be lifted or removed within a specific production plant by means of ten to fifteen template elements. The number of different template elements can therefore be limited to an economically meaningful measure.

In the production of stones, especially in the production of concrete paving stones, the cycle speed and a high production rate is of particular importance. Therefore, it is advantageous to change the template elements as quickly as possible. It is advantageous if several template elements are wound on a unwinding and winding device. The unwinding and winding device can cooperate with the vacuum device in such a way that the suction opening can in each case be fed with the template elements corresponding to the position of stones to be lifted.

In a constructive embodiment, it may be provided that the unwinding and winding device has at each of two opposite ends of the suction opening a roller for unwinding or winding up the template elements.

For example, the rollers may be provided directly on the vacuum device, on a lifting and transporting device connected to the vacuum device, or on a separate holding device.

This solution allows a particularly fast and reliable changing of the template elements, whereby a pattern corresponding to the position to be lifted can be created on closed and open suction areas. After discontinuing a stone layer and before re-recording another stone layer can already be supplied, for example, by a corresponding winding mechanism already the new template element. Changing the template element thus requires no additional time. In principle, any material which can be provided with corresponding passage openings for forming the open suction regions and is suitable for winding onto a roll or the like is suitable as the template element for the unwinding and winding device. For this purpose, a variety of materials are suggested from the general state of the art. In a particularly advantageous manner, films, preferably plastic films, since they are correspondingly thin and yet can be designed tear-resistant. If appropriate, the template elements can also be formed from sponge rubber, preferably with fabric inserts. It is also possible to provide the sponge rubber additionally with an airtight film.

If the template element is merely formed from a foil, it has proved to be advantageous to provide the underside of the suction opening with a yielding surface which adapts to the stone surface. Here, for example, foam rubber can be used. A resilient surface on the underside of the suction opening has the advantage that unevenness in the stone surface can be compensated for and the suction opening can be flush with the stone surfaces. The sponge rubber also allows a good seal.

From the general state of the art a variety of variants are suggested, on the one hand ensure a reliable pressing against the stone surface and on the other hand allow a good seal to bundle the suction power.

In a further development of the invention, it is further provided that the individual template elements are releasably connected to each other. A detachable connection of the individual template elements of the unwinding and winding device has the advantage that when a template element is damaged, it can be detached and replaced by a new template element. An exchange of the entire unwinding and winding device is therefore not necessary.

In a constructive development of the invention, in order to be able to ensure rapid replacement of the template elements and in view of the usually to be lifted under provided different layers of stones that two to twenty, preferably five to fifteen template elements are wound on the unwinding and winding device. In addition, it is provided that the unwinding and winding device is exchangeable by means of a quick release.

In an alternative to the unwinding and winding device, constructive solution can be provided that the template elements are plate-shaped, for example made of plastic or metal, are formed. The suction opening can be provided, for example, with a slot for receiving the plate-shaped template elements. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the plate-shaped template elements are magnetically connected to the suction opening. It can be provided that the vacuum device is provided with an electromagnet, which is activated after supplying the corresponding magnetically attractable template element and deactivated again for changing the template element.

Alternatively, various other possibilities are conceivable for the person skilled in the art in order to connect a plate-shaped element to the suction opening.

The template elements can be stored in a quick-change device, which is preferably positioned spatially close to the vacuum device. From the field of tool changing devices, a variety of solutions are known in order to realize a fast and reliable replacement of the template elements. For example, this could also be done as usual with CD changers.

Regardless of the structural design of the template elements can be inventively provided that the Schablo each have an identification key or code. The code (for example a barcode) can preferably be recognized or read by a sensor, so that the suction opening is supplied with the correspondingly provided template element either by additional automatic detection of the next layer of stones to be lifted or by manual operation.

It is advantageous if the suction opening is provided with a grid. This provides for the template elements a suitable system without significantly affecting the suction power.

Advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

Below, two embodiments of the invention are shown in principle with reference to the drawing.

It shows:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the device according to the invention from the side with a take-off and winding device before lifting a layer of stones.

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of a template element;

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of Figure 1, wherein a layer of stones is sucked or raised.

4 is a view of the device according to the invention in the direction of arrow IV of FIG. 3; and Fig. 5 is a constructive to FIG. 1 alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the template element is plate-shaped.

According to the invention, any stones, for example covering elements, facade elements, sand-lime bricks, brick or brick clinker or natural stones, be raised independently of their material properties. Hereinafter, the lifting of stones 1, which are designed as concrete paving stones, set forth with reference to the embodiments. The invention is of course not limited thereto.

The production of concrete paving stones 1 is well known, which is why will not be discussed in more detail below. The concrete paving stones 1 generally leave the production plant in a production situation, i. in an arrangement in which a plurality of concrete paving stones 1 are arranged side by side in one layer. Such a production situation is shown by way of example in FIG. 4 from below and in FIGS. 1 and 5 from the side.

The concrete paving stones 1 are located on a base 2 during the manufacturing, further processing and post-processing process and often during storage. This may be a tabular base or a production line.

The solution according to the invention can be used both during the production process to offset a layer of stones 1, as well as to stack several layers of stone one above the other to deliver them to the customers. The solution according to the invention is particularly suitable in combination with devices for the artificial aging of stones, such as these For example, from DE 20 2004 020 206, EP 0 860 258 B2 and DE 20 2004 015 348 are known. In these devices for the artificial aging of stones, it is particularly advantageous if the stones have a distance from each other. Such a distance between the concrete paving stones 1 is not lost by the inventive solution.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the device according to the invention for lifting concrete paving stones 1 has a vacuum device 3 with a suction opening 4 in order to suck in the concrete paving stones 1. The suction opening 4 is replaced by a replaceable template element 5, a pattern of closed and open suction regions 6, 7. The pattern produced is substantially adapted to the respective position of stones to be lifted.

FIG. 2 shows a possible pattern of closed and open suction regions 6, 7, which can arise through corresponding openings or openings in the template element 5. As can be seen in conjunction with FIG. 4, concrete paving stones 1 arranged at a distance from one another can be lifted by the open suction regions 7 arranged at a distance from one another.

By the pattern, the suction power of the vacuum device 3 is concentrated substantially on the stone surfaces of the concrete paving stones 1. The template elements 5 are wound according to the figures 1 to 4 on a unwinding and winding 8. The unwinding and winding device 8 acts in such a way with the vacuum device 3 or a production control together, that the suction opening 4 is in each case the template to be lifted of concrete paving stones 1 corresponding template element 5 is supplied. In the exemplary embodiment, it is provided that on the unwinding and winding device 8 five to fifteen Schablo nenelemente 5 are wound. The template elements 5 are formed in the embodiment as a plastic film, wherein the take-off and winding device 8 at two opposite ends of the suction opening 4 each have a roller 10 for winding or unwinding of the template elements 5. To minimize wear, the film is guided at suitable locations by guide rollers 11.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the vacuum device 3 is provided at its suction opening 4 with a grid 12. In addition, the suction opening 4 has on its underside a resilient surface which is suitable for contacting the stone surfaces, which may well be ridges of e.g. 5 to 10 mm may have to be adjusted. The resilient surface 13 of the suction opening 4 is formed in the embodiment of sponge rubber and has a structure that practically does not reduce the suction power. The resilient surface 13 may, for example, have a grid structure.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the vacuum device 3 is connected to a lifting and transporting device 14.

Fig. 1 shows the device according to the invention before the vacuum device 3 is activated and the concrete paving stones 1 are sucked through the open suction regions 7.

Fig. 3 shows an illustration according to FIG. 1, wherein the vacuum device 3 is turned on and the concrete paving stones 1 are sucked to the open suction regions 7.

FIG. 4 shows an illustration according to FIG. 3 from below, from which it can be seen that in the embodiment the open suction areas 7 are smaller than the stone surfaces of the concrete walls. paving stones 1, whereby the power loss of the vacuum device 3 is minimized. The open suction regions 7 are shown in Fig. 4 by dashed lines. Due to the closed suction regions 6, the suction opening 4 of the vacuum device 3 is covered in such a way that the suction power of the vacuum device 3 is concentrated on the stone surfaces of the concrete paving stones 1.

The pattern formed by the closed suction regions 6 and the open suction regions 7 is dependent on the position of concrete paving stones 1 to be lifted.

In principle, any layers of stones can be lifted with the device according to the invention, wherein the individual stones can have different sizes, formats and contours.

FIG. 2 shows a single template element 5 in a view from below with closed suction regions 6 and open suction regions 7. As can also be seen from FIGS. 2 and 4, in the exemplary embodiment each template element 5 has an identification key 15. The identification key 15 is readable in the embodiment by a sensor device, not shown, and may be formed, for example, as a barcode. The position of concrete paving stones 1 to be lifted can thus be assigned manually or automatically to the corresponding template element 5. The identification key 15 does not necessarily have to be arranged directly on the respective template element 5. For example, the identification key 15 can also be arranged between two template elements 5 or on another template element 5, if this proves to be more suitable with regard to the readability by a sensor device. Fig. 5 shows an alternative to the figures 1 to 4 embodiment, wherein the template elements 5 plate-shaped, in the embodiment of metal, are formed. The vacuum device 3 or the suction opening 4 is provided with a slot 16 for receiving a plate-shaped template element 5. FIG. 5 may be identical to the device according to the invention already described in FIG. 1 (with the exception of the removal of the unwinding and winding device 8). By activating the vacuum device 3, the template element 5 inserted into the insert 16 is sucked to the suction opening 4 and thus lies close to it.

The underside of the inserted template element 5, i. the side facing the stone surfaces, may be formed or provided of a resilient, elastic or soft material, so that it can adapt to the rough or uneven stone surfaces, whereby gaps between the stone surfaces and the template element 5, through which the performance of the vacuum device 3 is reduced, can be avoided.

As an alternative or in addition to the insert 16, the vacuum device 3 or the suction opening 4 can also be provided with a magnet, which enables a magnetic adhesion of the plate-shaped template element 5 to the suction opening 4.

For quick replacement of the plate-shaped template elements 5 during the production process, a quick-change device 17 is provided in the embodiment in which a plurality of template elements 5 are arranged.

Claims

claims

1. A device for lifting a layer of stones, in particular concrete paving stones, concrete slabs, brick clinker, natural stone and natural stone slabs, with a vacuum device having a suction opening to suck the stones, as you rchgeke nn zei chn et that the suction opening (4) a pattern of closed and open suction regions (6, 7) is obtained by interchangeable template elements (5), the pattern produced being substantially adapted to the respective layer of stones (1) to be lifted and the suction power of the vacuum device (3) being substantially equal to that of Concentrated stone surfaces.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the template elements (5) are wound up on a unwinding and winding device (8).

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, since you rchgeke nn zei chn et that the unwinding and winding device (8) so with the vacuum device (3) cooperates, that the suction opening (4) each corresponding to the position of stones to be lifted (1) Template element (5) can be fed.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the unwinding and winding device (8) at two opposite ends of the suction opening (4) each have a roll for unwinding or winding of the template elements (5).

5. Device according to claim 2, 3 or 4, in that there is a detachable connection between the individual template elements (5).

6. The device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the template elements (5) are formed from a film (9) and / or from sponge rubber.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the sponge rubber is reinforced with fabric inserts.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, d a d u r c h e c e n e c e s in that the suction opening (4) has on its underside a resilient surface which can be adapted to the stone surface.

9. Device according to one of claims 2 to 8, d a d u r c h e c e n e c e in that two to twenty, preferably five to fifteen, template elements (5) are wound on a unwinding and winding device (8).

10. Device according to one of claims 2 to 9, d a d u r c h e c e n e c e s in that the unwinding and winding device (8) by means of a quick release with the vacuum device (3) or another holder is connected.

11. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the template elements (5) are plate-shaped.

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the template elements (5) are formed from plastic or metal.

13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the suction opening (4) is provided with an insert (16) for receiving a plate-shaped template element (5).

14. Device according to claim 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that the plate-shaped template elements (5) are magnetically connectable to the suction opening (4).

15. The device according to claim 11, wherein the template elements are stored in a quick-change device (17).

16. Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that each stencil element (5) is associated with an identification key (15).

17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the identification key (15) can be read by a sensor device.

18. Device according to claim 16 and 17, characterized in that the layer of stones (1) to be lifted is automatically or manually assigned to the corresponding template element (5).

19. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suction opening is provided with a grate (12).

20. Device according to one of claims 1 to 19, d a d u r c h e c e n e c e s in that the vacuum device (3) with a lifting and transporting device (14) is connected.

21. A method for lifting a layer of stones, in particular concrete paving stones, concrete slabs, brick clinker, natural stones and natural stone slabs, with a vacuum device which sucks the stones to be lifted via a suction opening, since you rchge ke nnzei ch net that the suction opening (4) in Depending on the position of stones to be lifted (1) a template element (5) is supplied, which generates a pattern of closed and open suction areas (6,7) and concentrates the suction power substantially on the stone surfaces.