EP2025611A1 - Steering unit for the posts of a collapsible transport or storage structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit (100) has two articulation elements (10, 40) that are not pivotable relative to each other in one state and are pivotable in a pivot plane in another state. The element (10) has a guide surface (16), which is arranged in such a manner that the elements are transferred from relative position of the former state into the latter state by relative movement of the elements along the guide surface. A projection (14) is provided on a side surface (15) of the element (10), where the side surface is parallel to the pivoting plane. The guide surface is provided on the projection.

Description

The invention relates to a hinge unit for the pillars of a folding transport or storage frame, with a first and a second joint element, which are not pivotable in a first state to each other and are pivotable in a second state relative to each other in a pivot plane, wherein at least the first Articulated element has a guide surface, which is arranged such that the hinge elements can be transferred by a relative movement of the hinge elements along the guide surface from the relative position of the first state to the second state, and a hinged transport or storage rack with posts, such hinge units exhibit.

Transport or storage racks are used, for example, for storage or delivery of vehicle parts to a production facility. They usually have at least four corner posts which are attached to a rectangular floor frame. Such racks are used, for example, to transport components that would be under-protected because of their shape or sensitivity in common packaging, such as fenders, seats, or assembled assemblies such as axles or the like.

In order to save space in the empty condition of the racks, joints are provided in the post, over which the posts can be folded in pairs in the direction of the center of the frame, for example.

Such a transport and storage rack is, for example, in DE 296 18 314 U1 described. The two joint elements of a joint are connected to each other via a pivot axis. In the unfolded position, in which the posts are erected, the pivoting movement is blocked in the known solution by means of a bolt which is slidably provided on a joint member and can engage in a groove provided in the other joint member groove. The raised position is held over the latch. The hinge elements are welded at their end facing away from the joint with hollow profile tubes to form the post.

EP 1 739 022 A1 describes a joint for the posts of a transport or storage rack, in which one of the hinge elements has a receptacle for fixing the other joint element with a tilted in the erected state of the joint to the vertical guide surface in which the second hinge element is feasible. A relative movement of the hinge elements along the guide surface moves the second hinge element out of the receptacle and brings the hinge elements from the fixed end position into the pivot position in which the posts connected to the hinge element can be folded down.

During storage or transportation, multiple racks are often stacked on top of each other, exposing both the racks and the joints to high static loads. In particular, during transport must also be ensured that the stacked racks are firmly connected. Stacking pins are used for stacking, for example, which are provided on a frame and in the posts of an underlying or overlying frame can be inserted.

Object of the present invention is to provide an improved joint unit, which is easy to handle and allows safe stacking of the transport or storage racks.

This object is achieved with a hinge unit with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of dependent claims. A hinged transport or storage rack with posts, the hinge units according to the invention, is the subject of claim 17.

A hinge unit according to the invention has, on the joint element, which has the guide surface, a first projection on a side surface parallel to the pivot plane of the joint elements. The first guide surface is provided on this approach.

The guide surface, along which the relative movement of the joint elements is guided, when they are transferred from the first state in which they are not pivotable to each other in the second state in which they are pivotable in the pivot plane, located in the hinge unit according to the invention Thus, on an outer side of one of the hinge elements on a separately provided approach. The joint unit according to the invention therefore does not have any guide surfaces arranged within the joint unit, so that it ensures greater flexibility, for example when stacking pins are used.

The terms "first state" and "second state" are used for both the hinge unit and the hinge elements, wherein the hinge unit is in the first (second) state when the hinge elements are in the first (second) state to each other.

In principle, it is possible if a guide surface is provided on a joint element and on the other joint element a guide element sliding on this guide surface is provided. It is particularly advantageous if the second joint element also has a guide surface as a guide element, which corresponds to the first guide surface of the first joint element, so that the two guide surfaces slide against one another during the relative movement of the two joint elements. This ensures a particularly smooth and reliable relative movement in a well-defined direction. A simple embodiment provides that the second guide surface is provided on the second hinge element on a second lug which is provided on a side surface of the second hinge element, which corresponds to the side surface of the first hinge element on which the first lug is provided.

A further development provides that the ends of the guide surfaces which follow the relative movement of the two joint elements during the transition from the first to the second state are rounded. Such a configuration is particularly advantageous in the return of the joint unit from the second to the first state: The rounded ends of the trailing at the transition from the first to the second state ends of the two guide surfaces are leading in a transition from the second to the first state , The rounding ensures that they hinder the transfer from the second to the first state as little as possible when they meet.

A particularly preferred embodiment provides that the guide surface or the guide surfaces in the first state of the joint unit against the direction in which the joint elements are in the first state to each other, are inclined. Be the joint elements in such a Moved embodiment along the guide surface, the pivotal movement is already initiated by this relative movement. Advantageously, an angular range of 30 to 60 degrees, particularly preferably 45 degrees.

By two obliquely arranged mutually corresponding guide surfaces also a stable positive connection between the two joint elements in the first state is already ensured, in which no pivoting is possible.

An additional security is possible in such an embodiment, but also in other embodiments of the invention by an additional locking element. For this purpose, an embodiment of the invention on one of the joint elements on a movably mounted latch, which can assume a locking position when the hinge elements are in the first state in which they are not mutually pivotable. On the other joint member, a bolt counterpart is provided which cooperates with the bolt such that the transfer of the hinge elements is locked in the second state when the bolt is in its locked position.

The bolt and the bolt counterpart may be provided on a side surface of the hinge unit. It is particularly advantageous if they are located on the side surface of the joint unit on which the first projection is provided, so that the elements can be arranged as compact as possible on this one side surface and the hinge unit can be fully operated from one side.

A simple embodiment provides that the latch counterpart includes an outwardly facing extension to the first approach.

The extension may, for example, have a blocking surface against which the bolt rests in the blocking position when the two joint elements are in the first state in which they are not pivotable relative to one another.

If the hinge unit is moved back from the pivotable state into the first state, the latch can be moved to rest on the blocking surface, so that the additional securing is ensured by the lock. However, an embodiment of the hinge unit, in which the extension has a latching guide surface which is arranged and configured such that the latch can slide from the second to the first state on the latching guide surface during the movement of the hinge elements until it automatically moves into the blocking position, is particularly advantageous locks. The latching guide surface is advantageously provided at an acute angle to the first guide surface of the first approach, so that it is inclined to the direction in which the hinge elements are mutually, if they are not pivotable in the first state.

In such an embodiment, it is particularly advantageous that the latch automatically moves into its locked position when unfolding the frame or its post from the folded state in the erected state. As a result, the security is increased because the locking can not be forgotten.

The self-locking engagement of the bolt in the blocking position can be effected for example by a corresponding spring element or by gravity.

In an advantageous embodiment, the latch is guided in a latch guide, which is provided on the outside of the second lug, which is arranged on the second hinge element. Advantageously, the bolt guide forms a structural unit with the second approach. Such an embodiment allows a closer and more durable interaction between the locking unit with bolt and locking counterpart on the one hand and the guide surfaces on the other hand when transferring the hinge elements from the first state to the second state or vice versa.

The thus possible massive contour of the combined functional part makes the entire joint unit more resilient.

To keep the two hinge elements firmly connected to each other and still allow a pivoting movement, a groove or bore is easily provided in one of the joint elements, in which engages a bolt which is fixed to the other joint member or part thereof. The bolt then serves as an axis for the pivoting movement. The bore or groove has an elongated shape, so that the relative movement of the joint elements along the first guide surface or the guide surfaces in the transfer from the first to the second state is possible. A possible disability-free displacement of the joint elements along the guide surface is achieved with an embodiment in which the elongate shape of the at least one bore or the at least one groove has an oblique region which is inclined approximately in the same direction as the guide surfaces.

A particular advantage of a hinge unit according to the invention, in which the guide surface or the guide surfaces are provided on a projection or on projections on the outside on a side surface, is particularly evident to an embodiment in which at the end of the first joint element on which in the first state, the first joint element with the second joint element in abutment, a receptacle for a stacking pin is provided frontally. In the pivoted state of the hinge unit, this end is exposed, so that in the recording a stacking pin of another transport or storage rack can be introduced.
Since the guide surface (s) are provided on the lug (s) on a lateral outer side of the hinge unit, this lug may have a shape and size for the stack lug that is not affected by elements projecting into the hinge unit. In particular, the receptacle may have a shape and size which is also suitable for receiving stacking pins which are used elsewhere on the transport or storage rack.

Particularly preferred embodiments of the joint unit, in which bolt and locking counterpart in the locking position are positively to each other and / or in which the first and the second guide surface are positively against each other. Due to the positive connection or the positive connections a higher resistance to dynamic stress is achieved.

The invention also relates to a hinged transport or storage rack with posts, which have hinge units according to the invention. The hinge units according to the invention can be used for a folding caddy, a folding storage rack or a frame that is suitable for both transport and storage.

The advantages and preferred embodiments of a frame according to the invention result from the above-described advantages and preferred embodiments of the joint unit according to the invention.

Fig. 1

eine seitliche Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Gelenkeinheit im nicht verschwenkbaren, ersten Zustand,

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf eine andere Seite der Gelenkeinheit der Fig. 1 in Blickrichtung II,

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht auf eine Seitenfläche eines erfindungsgemäßen Gelenkeinheit im ersten Zustand, in dem eine Verschwenkung nicht möglich ist, im entriegelten Zustand,

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf die Seitenfläche der Gelenkeinheit der Fig. 1 bis 3 während der Überführung in den zweiten Zustand, in dem eine Verschwenkung möglich ist,

Fig. 5 Fig. 6

eine seitliche Draufsicht auf die Gelenkeinheit der Fig. 1 bis 4 in verschwenktem Zustand, eine seitliche Draufsicht auf die Gelenkeinheit der Fig. 1 bis 5 bei der Zurückführung aus dem verschwenkten Zustand in den ersten Zustand, in dem eine Verschwenkung nicht möglich ist,

Fig. 7

eine teilaufgerissene Gesamtansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Gelenkeinheit, und

Fig. 8

eine seitliche Ansicht zweier erfindungsgemäßer Transport- bzw. Lagergestelle mit erfindungsgemäßen Gelenkeinheiten in einem besonderen Stapelzustand.

The invention will be explained in detail with reference to the following figures, which show embodiments of the invention in a schematic representation and not necessarily to scale. Showing:

Fig. 1

a lateral plan view of a hinge unit according to the invention in the non-pivotable, first state,

Fig. 2

a plan view of another side of the hinge unit of Fig. 1 in the direction of view II,

Fig. 3

a plan view of a side surface of a hinge unit according to the invention in the first state, in which a pivoting is not possible, in the unlocked state,

Fig. 4

a plan view of the side surface of the hinge unit of Fig. 1 to 3 during transfer to the second state in which pivoting is possible

Fig. 5 Fig. 6

a lateral plan view of the hinge unit of Fig. 1 to 4 in a pivoted state, a lateral plan view of the joint unit of the Fig. 1 to 5 in the return from the pivoted state to the first state in which a pivoting is not possible,

Fig. 7

a partially broken overall view of a hinge unit according to the invention, and

Fig. 8

a side view of two inventive transport or storage racks with hinge units according to the invention in a special stacking state.

In Fig. 1 a joint unit 100 according to the invention is shown with a lower part 10 and an upper part 40, which form the first and second joint element. Fig. 2 shows this joint unit in the direction of II, as in Fig. 1 is indicated.

At the connection lugs 12 and 42 with, for example, square cross section, for example, square hollow sections can be placed and optionally welded. The posts thus formed form the corner posts of a transport or storage rack, for example for car parts.

Joint units 100 serve to be able to fold down the posts laterally in order to save space in the empty state of the transport or storage rack. The pivoting plane corresponds to the paper plane of the Fig. 1 , In order to allow the folding, the lower part 10 at the in Fig. 2 visible side open.

In the in Fig. 1 and 2 As shown in the first state, the upper part 40 rests with the support 50 at least on the edge of the upper end 28 of the lower part 10.

The lower part 10 has a first projection 14 projecting from the side surface 15, as shown in FIG Fig. 2 is recognizable. A first guide surface 16 aligned substantially perpendicular to the side surface 15 at the first lug 14 has an inclination of about 45 degrees with respect to the orientation indicated by reference numeral 201, which corresponds to the post in its erected position. The first guide surface 16 ends in the upper region in a rounding 17. At the first projection 14, an extension 18 is provided, which has a substantially in the direction 201 of the erected post facing locking surface 20, which is thus arranged substantially vertically in this embodiment. At an acute angle, this is followed at the meeting point 23 by a latching guide surface 22 of the extension 18, the function of which will be explained below.

In the side surface 15 and optionally in the non-visible opposite side surface of the hinge unit 100, a bolt 26 is mounted, which engages in a manner to be described in a groove or bore 52 of the upper part 40.

The top 40 also has a lug 44 (hereinafter also referred to as "second lug") having a second guide surface 46 corresponding to the first guide surface 16 and substantially in the state of the hinge assembly 100 in which the pillar is erected is aligned as the first guide surface 16. In the inner part 28 ( Fig. 4 ) of the upper part 40, which projects into the lower part 10 and therefore in Fig. 1 is not visible, a dashed line indicated slot 52 is provided which engages around the pin 26. In this case, the bolt 26 does not have to pass through the entire lower part 10, but it may be sufficient if it protrudes so far from the inner wall of the lower part 10 in the lower part that the slot 52 is guided.

Externally on the second projection 44, which is located on the upper part 40, a bolt guide 60 is provided, in which a bolt 62 in the direction 200th can be moved linearly. For this purpose, the latch guide 60 consists of a parallel to the side surface 15 of the upper part 40 arranged at its ends open hollow body, which preferably forms a structural unit with the second projection 44. In order to be able to initiate the movement of the bolt 62, a locking lever 64 is provided, which protrudes outward ( Fig. 2 ). In the in Fig. 1 shown locked position, the lower part of the bolt abuts against the locking surface 20 of the extension 18, which acts insofar as a bolt counterpart. At the same time, the locking lever 64 is securely mounted in the bolt receptacle 66.

Reference numeral 65 designates a latch stop member that also protrudes outward to prevent the latch 62 from leaking out of the latch guide 60, as described with reference to FIGS Fig. 3 will be explained.

Fig. 2 shows the hinge unit 100 in the viewing direction II, the in Fig. 1 is indicated. Dashed lines of the hinge unit 100 passing through bolt 26 is shown here. In a different embodiment of the bolt protrudes so far from the one side into the interior of the hinge unit 100 that it engages in the slot 52 in the inner part 48 of the upper part 40. In such an embodiment, the slot 52 may also be replaced by a correspondingly shaped groove in the outer wall of the inner part 48 of the upper part 40. Finally, such a short bolt can also be provided on opposite sides of the hinge unit 100.

Fig. 3 shows the hinge unit 100 in an unlocked state in which the latch 62 is displaced in the latch guide 60 so that it no longer rests against the blocking surface 20 of the extension 18. This locking movement is designated by reference numeral 200. The latch stop element 65 lies on the latch stop element receptacle 68 at the lower end of the latch guide 60, which limits the linear movement of the bolt 62 such that it can not leave the bolt guide.

Fig. 4 shows the relative movement 202 of the hinge elements from the first state in which a pivoting in direction 204 is not possible and the in Fig. 1 to 3 is shown in the second state in which the pivoting in direction 204 is possible.

Fig. 5 shows the hinge unit 100 in the pivoted state in which the (not shown) Vierkanthohlprofilrohre, which are connected to the connecting lugs 12, 42, are pivoted to each other. The pivoting movement carried out for this purpose is again designated by reference numeral 204.

Fig. 6 shows the hinge unit 100 during pivoting back of the upper part 40 in the upright position. This pivoting-back movement 206 corresponds to the erection of the post part connected to the connecting lug 42 and not shown in the figures. The in Fig. 6 shown state is taken when the latch 62 strikes the detent guide surface 22 of the extension 18. By its oblique arrangement of the bolt 62 is displaced in the direction 208, which corresponds substantially to the direction of the bolt opening movement 200.

Fig. 7 shows for further explanation of a partial elevational drawing of a hinge unit 102 according to the invention. Notwithstanding the slot 52 of the embodiment of Fig. 1 to 6 The elongate hole 106 in the inner part of the upper part 40 here has an oblique region 108 and two end regions 110.

Dash-dotted here is an example of a square hollow profile tube 104 indicated, which is mounted on the connecting lug 12 of the upper part 40.

Fig. 8 shows the lateral plan view of an arrangement of two stacked inventive transport or storage racks 72, 74 with hinge units 100 according to the invention, the latter being shown only schematically. One looks at two posts of a frame with four posts, which are constructed at the corners of a rectangular floor profile 84. On the rectangular floor profile 84 lower square hollow sections 80 are fixedly mounted, which are supported by the stiffener 82 against each other. The lower transport or storage rack 72 is shown with folded posts. With the help of the joint units 100 according to the invention, the posts have been folded down in the manner described, so that the upper square hollow sections 70, which are connected to the upper parts 40 of the hinge units 100, are folded inwards. The upper storage rack 74 is shown in an upright position. With stacking pins, not shown, the upper transport or storage rack 74 is placed on the lower parts 10 of the hinge units 100 of the lower transport or storage rack 42. For this purpose, the upper ends of the lower parts 10 of the hinge units 100 are each configured such that a stacking pin can be inserted. In particular, they each have an upwardly facing receptacle for a corresponding stacking pin.

The hinge units 100 on the right side of the Fig. 8 are mirrored to the hinge units 100 on the left side of the Fig. 8 ,

A hinge unit according to the invention is used as follows. In the state of Fig. 1 the upper part 40 and the lower part 10 are not mutually pivotable. A Verschwenkungsversuch the upper part 40 in the direction 204 is by the investment of the second guide surface 46 at prevents the first guide surface 16. As an additional safeguard, the pivoting movement is impeded by the latch 62, which rests against the blocking surface 20 of the extension 18. The two joint elements 10, 40 are thus fixed in position. Square tubes, which are welded to the connecting lugs 12, 42, for example, are aligned in a line. A transport rack having four posts thus formed is ready for loading.

In this embodiment, it proves to be particularly favorable that, in the unfolded state, both the corresponding guide surfaces 16, 46 and the latch 62 and the blocking surface 20 are in each case form-fitting with one another, so that a very high resistance to dynamic stress is achieved.

If the transport or storage rack is to be folded, the upper part 40 of the joint unit 100 must be pivoted against the lower part 10 of the joint unit in the direction 204. For this purpose, the bolt 62 is first pulled in the direction of 200 in the bolt guide 60 upwards with the aid of the locking lever 64. In this case, leaves the lower portion of the bolt 62, the blocking surface 20. It creates the state of Fig. 3 in which the latch 62 is unlocked. The upper part 40 can now be moved obliquely upwards in the direction 202 along the direction of the guide surfaces 46, 16. This movement is made possible by the elongated shape of the slot 52.

Further movement of the upper part 40 in the direction 204 leads to the state of Fig. 5 in which the upper part 40 is completely pivoted against the lower part 10. A welded to the connection lug 12 square tube is now so.

When re-erecting the post first arises a state that in Fig. 6 is shown. By the rounded ends 45 (visible, for example, in FIG Fig. 1 . 3 and 6 ) and 17 (visible for example in Fig. 1 and 3 ) of the guide surfaces 46 and 16 of the two lugs 44 and 14 is ensured in an effective manner that the lugs 14, 44 in the pivoting back movement 206 can slide against each other until the state of Fig. 6 is reached.

In the course of the pivoting-back movement 206, the bolt 62 strikes the detent guide surface 22 and, due to its oblique configuration, pushes upward in the direction of the anti-locking movement 208. The bolt thus does not hinder the complete erection of the upper part 40. As soon as the bolt has exceeded the meeting point 23 at which the detent guide surface 22 and the blocking surface 20 abut one another, it falls downwards in the direction of the latch detent movement 210 due to gravity and locks automatically without additional engagement of an operator the state in which the hinge elements 10, 40 in a direction 201 ( Fig. 1 ) are aligned with each other. The falling of the bolt 62 in the in Fig. 1 shown position is favored by the rounded edge of the extension 18 at the meeting point 23 between locking guide surface 22 and locking surface 20 on the one hand and the rounded lower edge 63 of the bolt 62 on the other. As soon as the latch lever 64 comes to lie in the latch receptacle 66 of the latch guide 60, the latch 62 stops.

Altogether in this way the condition is taken again, which in the Fig. 1 and 2 is shown, in which a pivoting of the two joint elements 10, 40 to each other is not possible.

In this joint unit according to the invention, therefore, the transfer to the second state, in which the two joint elements are mutually pivotable, on the one hand by the inclined arrangement of the guide surfaces 16, 46 and prevents their positive interaction, when the hinge unit is in the first state, in Fig. 1 is shown. Additional security is achieved by locking with the latch 62 in the manner described. The structurally compact arrangement of the guide surfaces, lugs and the elements of the lock allows a tight and durable interaction. In addition, the final locking by means of the bolt 62 is automatically made by gravity when the bolt over the detent guide surface 22 exceeds the point 23.

In one embodiment, the hinge unit 102 as shown in FIG Fig. 7 is shown, the slot 106 is disposed substantially obliquely and has an oblique portion 108 with end portions 110. The oblique arrangement facilitates the movement of the upper hinge element 40 along the guide surface 16 of the lug 14 of the lower hinge element 10.

In Fig. 8 a stacked arrangement of two storage racks 72, 74 is shown. The upper square tubes 70 of the lower transport or storage rack 72 are folded together with the upper hinge elements 40 inwards, wherein the corresponding folding movement with the in Fig. 8 only schematically illustrated hinge units 100 was performed, as above with reference to the Fig. 1 to 7 explained.

In an invisible manner, the lower hinge elements 10 at least of the lower transport or storage rack 72 at its upper end 28 receptacles in the stacking pins can be used. It is of particular advantage that the arrangement of the guide surfaces, Lugs and elements of the latch is located on an outer side of the hinge elements 100. It can be used in this way normal stacking pins, which are also used elsewhere for the assembly of transport or storage racks, as no disturbing elements protrude into the receptacle for the stacking pins.

On the stacking pin is then the upper transport or storage rack 74 in the in Fig. 8 shown manner. The upper storage rack 74 is shown with upright posts. As required, its posts can also be folded over, as shown for the lower transport or storage rack 72.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Lower joint element, lower part

12

connecting shoulder

14

first approach.

15

side surface

16

first guide surface

17

rounded edge

18

extension

20

blocking surface

22

Rest guide surface

23

Meeting point of blocking area and detent guide surface

26

bolt

28

upper end of the lower joint element

40

Upper joint element, upper part

42

connecting shoulder

44

second approach

45

rounded edge

46

second guide surface

48

inner part

50

edition

52

Long hole

60

bolt guide

62

bars

63

rounded edge

64

locking lever

65

Latch stop member

66

Bolt receiver

68

Bar stop element receptacle

70

Square tube

72, 74

Transport or storage rack

80

Square tube

82

stiffening

84

Rectangular bottom profile

100, 102

joint unit

104

Square tube

106

Long hole

108

oblique oblong hole area

110

Langlochendbereich

200

Bolt opening movement

201

Alignment in the first state

202

Relative movement of the joint elements

204

pivotal movement

206

Back pivotal movement

208

Riegel evasive movement

210

Riegeleinrastbewegung

Claims (17)

Joint unit (100, 102) for the posts of a transport or storage rack, with a first and a second hinge element (10, 40), which are not pivotable to each other in a first state and in a second state are pivotable relative to each other in a pivot plane wherein at least the first hinge element (10) has a first guide surface (16) arranged such that the hinge elements (10, 40) extend relative to the guide surface (16) by a relative movement (202) of the hinge elements (10, 40) the first position can be converted to the second state, characterized by a first projection (14) on a lateral surface (15) of the first joint element (10) which is parallel to the pivoting plane, wherein the first guide surface (16) adjoins the first projection (14) is provided. Joint unit according to claim 1, characterized in that on a side surface of the second joint element (40) to the guide surface (16) of the first joint element (10) corresponding second guide surface (46) on a second projection (44) is provided such that the two Guide surfaces (16, 46) in the relative movement (202) of the hinge elements (10, 40) between the first and the state slide off each other. Joint unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the two in the relative movement of the two joint elements (10, 40) during the transition from the first to the second state trailing ends (17, 45) of the guide surfaces (16, 46) are rounded. Joint unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the guide surface (16) against the direction (201) in which the joint elements (10, 40) to each other in the first state, is inclined, preferably in an angular range of 30 to 60 degrees, more preferably 45 degrees. Joint unit according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by a on one of the hinge elements (40), preferably on the second hinge member, movably mounted latch (62) which can assume a locking position when the hinge elements (10, 40) are in the first state in that it cooperates with a locking mating piece (18) provided on the other joint element (10) such that the transfer of the joint elements (10, 40) into the second state is blocked. A joint unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the bolt (62) and the bolt counterpart (18) on a side surface of the hinge unit (100, 102) are located. Joint unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the bolt (62) and the bolt counterpart (18) on that side surface of the hinge unit (100, 102) are provided, at which the first projection (14) is located. Joint unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking counterpart comprises an outwardly pointing extension (18) on the first projection (14). A joint unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the extension (18) has a blocking surface (20) pointing substantially in the direction of the alignment (201) in which the joint elements are in the first state relative to one another, on which the bolt (62) in FIG the blocking position is applied. Joint unit according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that on the extension (18) a detent guide surface (22) is provided, which is arranged and configured such that the bolt (62) during the movement of the joint elements (10, 40) from the second to the first state on the detent guide surface (22) can slide off until it engages in the locked position. Joint unit according to claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the blocking surface (20) and the detent guide surface (22) meet at an acute angle to each other, which lies in the pivoting plane. Joint unit according to one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the bolt (62) is displaceably mounted in a bolt guide (60) on a joint element (40), in which it can be moved into the blocking position or out of the blocking position. A joint unit according to claim 12, insofar as it is directly or indirectly dependent on claim 2, characterized in that the bolt guide (60) is provided on the outside of the second shoulder (44) is, wherein the bolt guide (60) and the second projection (44) preferably form a structural unit. Joint unit according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the one hinge element (40), preferably the second hinge element, at least one bore (52, 106) or groove, into which in the other joint element (10) fixed bolt ( 26), which serves as an axis in the pivotal movement (204), wherein the bore (52, 106) or groove has an elongated shape which is designed such that it the relative movement (202) of the hinge elements (10, 40) along the first guide surface (16) in the transfer from the first to the second state allows. Joint unit according to claim 14, characterized in that the bore (106) has an oblique region (108) to the direction (201), in which the joint elements (10, 40) to each other in the first state. Joint unit according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that in the end (28) of the first joint element (10), which rests in the first state on the second joint element (40), a receptacle for a stacking pin is provided. Folding transport or storage rack with posts, the joint units (100, 102) according to one of the preceding claims for folding.

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