EP2539255A1

EP2539255A1 - Storage unit for thin items

Info

Publication number: EP2539255A1
Application number: EP11713043A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ennio Mantese
Original assignee: Mb Srl
Current assignee: Mb Srl
Priority date: 2010-02-22
Filing date: 2011-02-21
Publication date: 2013-01-02
Also published as: WO2011101733A1; IT1398455B1; ITVI20100040A1

Abstract

The invention is a storage unit (1; 100) for thin items (L) comprising: a plurality of frames (2t; 2c; 2i; 21, 22, 23, 24) aligned one after the other and inclined so that they accommodate one or more thin items (L) resting on them, said thin items being placed on top of each other and facing each other; a plurality of carriages (3; 31, 32, 33, 34), each associated with a corresponding frame (2i; 21, 22, 23, 24); a supporting structure (4) on which the carriages (3; 31, 32, 33, 34) rest, allowing the movement of the carriages and the frames associated with them according to a direction substantially parallel to the plane (α) defined by the supporting structure (4); a drive unit (5; 70) of the carriages (3; 31, 32, 33, 34). The drive unit (5; 70) comprises a sorting unit (6) suited to select and be coupled with any one of the carriages (3; 31, 32, 33, 34) having a first power unit (8) connected to a control unit and mechanically connected to means (10) for coupling with the frames (2i; 21, 22, 23, 24) associated with the carriages (3; 31, 32, 33, 34), and power means (7) cooperating with the sorting unit (6) and suited to move the connected carriage in order to move the frame associated with it in relation to the adjacent frame. The coupling means (10) comprise a tubular element (11) provided on the outside with a plurality of sleeves (12; 121, 122, 123, 124), each one of which is provided with projecting elements (13) suited to be coupled with corresponding reference elements (14; 141, 142, 143, 144) present in the frames (2i; 21, 22, 23, 24) associated with the carriages (3; 31, 32, 33, 34). The tubular element is mechanically connected to the first power unit (8) through a mechanical joint (9).

Description

STORAGE UNIT FOR THIN ITEMS.

DESCRIPTION

The invention concerns a storage unit for thin items, in particular for thin items in the form of sheets, particularly suited to be used to arrange said thin items in the form of sheets in a position from which it is easy to collect them for manual or mechanical handling operations.

The storage unit that is the subject of the invention can be used to store thin items in the form of sheets of any kind, like for example plastic sheets, wooden panels, metal sheets, semi-finished products in sheets and the like.

The storage unit that is the subject of the invention is preferably used by glass panes manufacturing companies that use it to store the glass panes that must be collected and loaded, for example, on cutting surfaces.

It is known that the storage units for storing thin items in sheets, in particular glass panes, comprise a plurality of frames aligned one after the other, each one of which is inclined so as to provide a supporting surface for one or more panes that are arranged on top of and facing each other.

The plane defined by each frame is inclined by an angle slightly exceeding 90° with respect to the horizontal plane, so as to provide a safe and stable supporting surface, guaranteed by their own weight, for the panes that are rested on it facing each other.

A storage unit generally comprises a head frame and a tail frame, both fixed, between which there is a plurality of intermediate frames that are provided with carriages resting on a supporting structure that generally rests on the ground. Each intermediate carriage is movable, being connected to suitable power means that allow it to be moved along the supporting structure and therefore in relation to the other frames.

In particular, the distance between the head frame and the tail frame exceeds the overall distance between the intermediate frames when they are arranged one against the other and this makes it possible, by properly moving one or more intermediate frames through the power means, to space any two adjacent frames so as to create an access corridor for the pane collecting means.

Therefore, when the user wants to take two or more of the panes stored in the storage unit, he/she properly moves the frames in order to reach the frame or frames where there are the panes he/she wants to collect. The patent documents US 5 505 574 A, EP 1 593 615 A1 , EP 0 749 916 A2, US 2002/005332 A1 and DE 44 28 897 A1 are known, which describe different embodiments of storage units for thin items but however pose some drawbacks and limitations that are highlighted here below.

A drawback that can be found in the embodiment described in document US 5 505 574 A is due to the fact that the movement of the frames is obtained by means of several power units, one per each frame, which make the construction of the storage unit expensive and furthermore reduce its reliability. Another drawback found in the embodiments described in all the documents mentioned above is represented by the fact that, in order to move, connect and release the frames, kinematic mechanisms are provided that include pinions, racks, chains and/or belts with corresponding pulleys that increase the complexity of the storage unit in terms of constructive structure and also require frequent maintenance and adjustment operations.

Another drawback concerns the operation of the known storage units, because when a corridor must be opened between two adjacent frames it is necessary to compact all the frames by connecting them to each other and then to release the frame at the height of which the corridor must be opened, and then to intervene on the drive units in order to displace the frames and create the corridor in the selected position.

An embodiment including the coupling and displacement of the frames is described in document US 6 510 950 B1 , according to which the frames are coupled through connection means associated with a shaft that is made rotate until the connection means are engaged with projections provided on the frames.

Once the coupling operation has been completed, the frames are moved by means of a power unit that, through a threaded rod and shaft coupling means, moves the latter together with the frames associated with it.

Also this embodiment, however, poses considerable drawbacks, as it does not allow each individual frame to be coupled and moved but only allows all the frames to be coupled and moved at the same time, which is the result of the rotation of the threaded rod.

Consequently, it is not possible to selectively move each frame with respect to the adjacent one in order to define between them an access corridor leading to the material positioned on the frame in question. A final but equally important limitation is represented by the fact that the storage unit of known type mentioned above are not provided with locking means to firmly constrain to each other the frames arranged against each other.

The present invention intends to overcome all the limitations and drawbacks described above.

In particular, it is a first object of the invention to provide a storage unit provided with a plurality of frames for supporting thin items in the form of sheets that, compared to equivalent storage units of known type, offers improved manoeuvrability of the frames and ensures better access to the materials supported by them.

It is another object of the invention to provide a storage unit that guarantees the stability of the frames in all their operating positions.

It is another object of the invention to provide a storage unit that is simpler to construct and less expensive compared to the equivalent storage units of known type.

It is another object of the invention to provide a storage unit whose operation is simpler compared to the storage units of known type.

It is another, yet not the least object of the invention, to provide a storage unit that requires less maintenance compared to the storage units of known type. The objects described above are achieved by a storage unit for thin items, in particular thin items in the form of sheets, whose characteristics are described in the main claim, to which the reader should refer for the sake of brevity.

Other details of the storage unit that is the subject of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

The storage unit of the invention comprises a plurality of frames, each associated with a moving carriage that slidingly rests on a supporting structure and included between a head frame and a tail frame that, on the contrary, are fixed with respect to said supporting structure.

A single drive unit, comprising a sorting unit for the selective coupling of any of the carriages and power means cooperating with the sorting unit, makes it possible to move the coupled carriage in order to displace the corresponding frame with respect to the frame adjacent to it.

Locking means are provided to removably constrain each carriage to the adjacent carriage when these are arranged one against the other. Advantageously, as the number of power units and therefore also of frame drive elements is limited, the storage unit of the invention is also more reliable than equivalent storage units of known type.

To further advantage, as is better explained in the description, the storage unit of the invention is easier to manage than equivalent storage units of known type and ensures shorter operating times, so that more items can be handled in the same period of time.

The objects and advantages described above will be highlighted in greater detail in the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention that is supplied as an indicative, non-limiting example with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of the storage unit that is the subject of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the storage unit of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 shows a rear view of the storage unit of Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows an axonometric view from below of the storage unit of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 shows a detail of the storage unit shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a side view of the storage unit shown in Figure 4;

- Figure 7 shows a detail of the storage unit shown in Figure 6;

Figures from 8 to 10 show the storage unit of the invention shown in Figure 6, in different steps of the moving operation;

Figure 1 shows a detail of Figure 10;

Figures 12 and 13 show further positions of the storage unit of the invention shown in Figure 10 during a further moving operation;

Figure 14 shows an axonometric view of a detail of the storage unit of the invention shown in Figure 4;

Figure 15 shows a variant embodiment of the storage unit of the invention; Figures from 16 to 18 show some details of Figure 15;

- Figure 19 shows an axonometric view from below of the storage unit of the invention shown in Figure 15;

Figure 20 shows a detail of Figure 19;

Figure 21 shows an axonometric view of another detail of Figure 19;

Figure 22 shows a side view of the storage unit of the invention shown in Figures 15 and 19; Figures 23 and 24 show some details of Figure 22;

Figure 25 shows the storage unit of the invention in a different operating position;

Figure 26 shows a detail of Figure 22;

- Figure 27 shows the storage unit of the invention in a further operating position.

The storage unit for thin items that is the subject of the invention is shown in axonometric view in Figure 1 and in the side views of Figures 2 and 3, where it is indicated as a whole by 1.

It can be observed that it comprises a plurality of frames indicated as a whole by 2 and aligned one after the other, which are inclined so that they can accommodate one or more thin items L resting on them, said thin items being placed on top of each other and facing each other.

It can be observed in particular that the frames 2 comprise a head frame 2t and a tail frame 2c, both fixed, between which there is a plurality of intermediate frames 2i arranged one after the other and associated with corresponding carriages 3.

There is also a supporting structure 4 on which the carriages 3 rest, said carriages being associated with the intermediate frames 2i, wherein said supporting structure allows them to be moved according to a direction that is substantially parallel to the plane a defined by the supporting structure 4 itself. The head frame 2t and the tail frame 2c are fixed to the supporting structure 4 but in a different embodiment they may also be independent of the supporting structure 4 and be, for example, fixed to the ground.

It is evident, however, that in a different embodiment all the frames 2 that make up the storage unit 1 may be provided with carriages 3 and therefore be all suited to be moved on the supporting structure 4 on which they rest.

It can also be observed that each one of the frames 2 has an L-shaped profile whose longer side 2a forms an angle γ exceeding a right angle with the substantially horizontal plane a defined by the supporting structure 4.

In this way, as shown in Figure 2, the longer side 2a defines a plane β that is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction, supporting the thin items L in the form of sheets that rest on it one against the other, in a spontaneous way due to the dead weight of the panes.

It can also be observed, with particular reference to Figures from 6 to 14, that a drive unit indicated as a whole by 5 is provided, in order to allow the carriages 3 to be moved along the supporting structure 4.

According to the invention, the drive unit 5 comprises a sorting unit 6 suited to select and be coupled with any of the carriages 3 and power means 7 cooperating with the sorting unit 6 and suited to move the connected carriage in order to move the frame associated with it with respect to the adjacent frame.

Regarding the sorting unit 6, it can be observed that it comprises a first power unit 8 provided with an encoder not illustrated in the drawings and connected to a control unit that is not illustrated, either, and that is mechanically connected, through a mechanical joint indicated as a whole by 9, to coupling means of the intermediate frames 2i, indicated as a whole by 10.

Said coupling means 10 comprise a tubular element 11 mechanically connected to said first power unit 8 through the mechanical joint 9, which is provided, on the outside, with a plurality of sleeves 12, each one of which is provided with one pair of projecting elements 13 suited to be coupled with corresponding reference elements 14 present in the intermediate frames 2i. The projecting elements 13, in particular, are spaced from each other and aligned along the axial direction of the sleeve 12, while the reference elements 14 are constituted by any element integral with each intermediate frame 2i, whose thickness is less than the distance between the projecting elements 13 of each sleeve 12 so that it can be included between them when the sorting unit 6, controlled by the operator, selects the carriage 3 to be handled.

In the case described herein, each reference element 14 is constituted by a flat bar belonging to the corresponding intermediate frame 2i.

As regards the mechanical joint 9, it comprises a spline shaft 15 connected to the first power unit 8 and slidingly coupled into a grooved seat 16 created in the tubular element 11.

Regarding the power means 7, they comprise a second power unit 17 that, as shown, is connected to a threaded shaft 18 coupled with an internal thread 19 created inside the tubular element 11 , on its opposite side, where the tubular element 11 is provided with the grooved seat 16.

Each power unit 8, 17, as shown, comprises an electric motor 8a, 17a provided with a speed reducer 8b, 17b. It is evident, however, that each power unit, instead of comprising an electric motor with speed reducer, may be replaced by a fluid-operated motor, for example an hydraulic motor, if necessary provided with a speed reducer.

As already said, the first power unit 8 is provided with an encoder to define the angular position of each sleeve 12 and, even if it is not illustrated in the drawings, there is also a control unit electrically connected to both power units 8, 17.

It can finally be observed, with reference in particular to Figures 6 and 14, that the pitch P between the sleeves 12 along the tubular element 11 is equal to the pitch p between the reference elements 14, when the carriages 3 and the corresponding frames 2i are arranged one against the other.

In this way each sleeve 12 is associated with a corresponding intermediate frame 2i.

Therefore, if each one of the intermediate frames indicated as a whole by 2i is indicated by the progressive numbers 21, 22, 23, 24, each corresponding sleeve 12 will be indicated by the progressive numbers 121, 122, 123 and 124.

Analogously, each corresponding carriage 3 will be indicated by the progressive numbers 31 , 32, 33, 34 and the corresponding reference elements 14 by the progressive numbers 141 , 142, 143 and 144.

In practice, the operation of the storage unit of the invention is described with reference to the Figures from 6 to 13, which in fact show different views in different operating stages.

It is evident that the operation described herein, referred to the storage unit shown in the figures and comprising four intermediate moving frames 2i and two fixed frames 2t, 2c, can also be referred to a storage unit made up of any number of frames, if necessary all movable on the supporting structure.

With reference to Figure 6, it can be observed that the storage unit 1 arranged in the configuration in which it has an access corridor C defined between the head frame 2t and the first intermediate frame 21 arranged against all the other intermediate frames 22, 23, 24 and against the tail frame 2c.

Also the enlarged view of Figure 7 shows that in this configuration the first intermediate frame 21 has the reference element 141 included between the projecting elements 13 of the first sleeve 121.

As already said and as shown in the figures, each of the sleeves is arranged so as to be angularly misaligned with respect to the adjacent sleeve and the value of said misalignment angle varies as the number of the intermediate frames making up the storage unit varies.

If a corridor C must be created between the first and the second intermediate frame, respectively 21 and 22, and the storage unit 1 must be arranged in the configuration that can be observed in Figure 9 starting from the configuration shown in Figure 6, action is taken on the second power unit 17, setting the threaded shaft 18 rotating.

The tubular element 11 is thus moved leftwards as indicated by the arrow S in Figure 8 and, since the projecting elements 13 of the first sleeve 121 counteract the reference element 141 of the first intermediate frame 21, this follows the movement of the tubular element 11 and passes from the position shown in Figure 6 to the intermediate position shown in Figure 8 and then to the final position shown in Figure 9, when the power unit 17 stops.

It is thus possible to collect the panes L present in the second intermediate frame 22 accessing the corridor C\

If at this point the operator wants to create a corridor C" between the third and the fourth intermediate frame, respectively 23 and 24, so as to arrange the storage unit 1 in the configuration shown in Figure 13, first of all it is necessary to take action on the first power unit 8 in order to rotate the tubular element 11 and release the first sleeve 121 from the first frame 21.

Through the second power unit 17 the threaded shaft 18 is set rotating in the direction opposite the previous one, so as to move the tubular element 11 rightwards as indicated by the arrow D in Figure 10, until positioning the third sleeve 123 at the level of the third intermediate frame 23.

At this point the second power unit 17 is stopped and the first power unit 8 is started, thus causing the rotation of the tubular element 11 so as to arrange the projecting elements 13 of the third sleeve 123 engaging with the reference element 143 of the third intermediate frame 23, in the configuration shown in Figure 10 and better visible in the enlarged view of Figure 11.

The correct position is defined by a precise angular displacement of the tubular element 11 imposed by the encoder present in the first power unit 8.

At this point, once the third intermediate frame 23 has been coupled, action is taken again on the second power unit 17 in order to set the threaded shaft 18 rotating again, so that its leftward movement as indicated by the arrow S involves in its movement, through a thrusting action, together with the third carriage 33, also the second carriage 32 and the first carriage 31.

At the end of the movement the configuration shown in Figure 13 is reached, where the first, second and third carriages, respectively 31, 32 and 33, are positioned against each other and against the head frame 2t.

Once said position has been reached and the corridor C" has been defined, the second power unit 17 is stopped.

It is thus possible to access the fourth frame 24 to collect the thin items it supports.

It is evident that starting from this position and operating as described above it will be possible to move any other carriage and thus open any other corridor between any other pair of frames.

The above shows that the storage unit that is the subject of the invention achieves the object to provide a storage unit with improved manoeuvrability of the frames compared to the equivalent storage units of known type.

Above all, it makes it possible to reduce the time required to access the frames, thus reducing idle times and idle strokes.

In fact, the presence of a control unit that manages, according to a preset program, the sorting unit 6 and thus the rotation of the tubular element 11 and consequently the movement of the sleeves 12, makes it possible to minimise idle times, considering that in order to connect the frame which the operator wants to access, the sleeve that is from time to time nearest to it is used.

Furthermore, the presence of fewer motors and mechanical components in general, in addition to the reduction and/or elimination of couplings obtained with toothed elements and kinematic motions with chains or belts, makes it possible to reduce production costs and maintenance, and to obtain a more reliable operation of the storage unit.

The storage unit of the invention is shown in particular in the overall drawings of Figures 15 and 19, where it is indicated by 100 and is provided with locking means, each indicated as a whole by 101, which serve to removably constrain each frame to the adjacent one when the frames are arranged one against the other, as shown in fact in Figures 15 and 19.

Each locking means 101, as shown in particular in Figures from 16 to 18 and in Figure 20, comprises an oscillating latch 40 and a fixed bracket 50 that cooperate with each other to constrain each frame to the adjacent one.

In particular, with reference to Figure 16, each intermediate frame 2i is provided on one side with the oscillating latch 40 and on the opposite side with the fixed bracket 50, while the head frame 2t is provided only with the oscillating latch 40 and the tail frame 2c is provided only with the fixed bracket 50.

It can be observed in particular in Figure 18 that each oscillating latch 40 is free to rotate around the pin 41 positioned at one of its ends and is provided on the opposite side of the pin 41 with a blade 42 that is housed in a seat 52 obtained in the fixed bracket 50.

It can also be observed that each frame, at the level of the area where the oscillating latch 40 is positioned, is provided with a housing 60 that accommodates the fixed bracket 50 when the two frames are arranged in contact with and against each other.

In particular, the insertion of the blade 42 of the oscillating latch 40 in the seat 52 of the fixed bracket 50 takes place automatically when each frame approaches the adjacent one, during the insertion of the fixed bracket 50 in the housing 60.

In fact, when the inclined plane 51 of the fixed bracket 50 counteracts the blade 42, it progressively lifts it until it reaches the level of the seat 52 where it releases it so that the latter, due to gravity, fits into the seat 52 thus coupling the two frames.

When, on the other hand, any one of the frames must be separated from the adjacent one in order to move it, it is necessary to intervene on the locking means 101, releasing the oscillating latch 40 of a frame from the fixed bracket 50 of the adjacent frame.

For this purpose, the drive unit already described above and shown in an axonometric view in Figure 21 , where it is indicated as a whole by 70, also comprises, in addition to the sleeves 12, a plurality of auxiliary sleeves indicated as a whole by 82, which are also fixed coaxially outside the tubular element 11 and each one of which is provided with a projecting element 83. Furthermore, the auxiliary sleeves 82 are axially spaced from each other of a pitch that is equal to the pitch between the sleeves 12 and corresponds to the pitch between consecutive frames and consecutive oscillating latches 40 when the frames are coupled with each other.

It can thus be observed that the first sleeve 121 is followed by the first auxiliary sleeve 821 which is arranged against the second sleeve 122 which in turn is followed by the second auxiliary sleeve 822.

The latter, in its turn, is placed against the third sleeve 123 that is followed by the third auxiliary sleeve 823 that is placed against the fourth sleeve 124 that is followed by the fourth auxiliary sleeve 824.

In the configuration described above it can be observed that the projecting elements 13 of each sleeve 12 and the projecting element 83 of the auxiliary sleeve 82 that follows it are aligned according to a longitudinal axis Y' parallel to the longitudinal axis Y defined by the tubular element 11.

In this way, rotating the tubular element 11 means rotating the sleeves 12 that select and connect the frame to be moved, and at the same time also rotating the auxiliary sleeves 82 that, in combination with the sleeves 12, open the locking means 101.

In order to better understand the previous description and also the explanation given below regarding the operation of the storage unit of the invention, it is advisable to observe the enlarged views provided in Figures 16, 17 and 18, in which:

Figure 16 shows the situation in which the two adjacent frames are released from each other as the blade 42 of the oscillating latch 40 of one of them is lifted and therefore not inserted in the seat 52 provided in the fixed bracket 50 of the other;

Figure 17 shows the situation in which the two adjacent frames are coupled as the blade 42 of the oscillating latch 40 of each one of them is inserted in the corresponding seat 52 provided in the fixed bracket 50 of the other one;

- Figure 18 shows the lifting of the oscillating latch 40 due to the thrusting action of the projecting elements 13 of a sleeve 12.

In practice, the operation of the storage unit 100, and in particular of the locking means 101 according to the variant embodiment described, is illustrated with reference to Figures from 22 to 27.

In particular, Figure 22 shows a side view of the storage unit 100 with the first intermediate frame 21 positioned against the head frame 2t that defines, together with the second intermediate frame 22, the corridor C that gives access to the thin items supported by the second intermediate frame 22.

It can be observed, with reference to the enlarged detail shown in Figure 23, that the first intermediate frame 21 is coupled with the head frame 2t, as the blade 42 of the oscillating latch 40 of the head frame 2t is housed in the seat 52 of the corresponding fixed bracket 50 of the first intermediate bracket 21.

It can also be observed that in this configuration the fixed bracket 50 of the second intermediate frame 22 and the opposing oscillating latch 40 belonging to the first intermediate frame 21 are not coupled with each other.

If, starting from the configuration of Figure 22 just described, the operator wants to move the first intermediate frame 21 rightwards as indicated by the arrow D, first of all it is necessary to rotate the tubular element 11 of the drive unit 5 so that, as shown in Figure 24, one of the projecting elements 13 of the first sleeve 121 lifts the oscillating latch 40 of the head frame 2t in the direction of the arrow A.

The blade 42 comes out of the seat 52 in the fixed bracket 50 of the first intermediate frame 21 and at the same time the projecting elements 13 of the first sleeve 21 accommodate between them the reference element 14 of the first intermediate frame 21.

In this position, the first intermediate frame 21 is free with respect to the head frame 2t and coupled with the drive unit 5 and therefore it can be moved rightwards as indicated by the arrow D by operating the power means 7 as already described above.

Once the movement has been carried out, the storage unit is arranged in the configuration shown in Figure 25, with the first intermediate frame 21 coupled with the second intermediate frame 22 so as to define the corridor C.

It should be noted that during the rotation of the tubular element 11 also the first auxiliary sleeve 821 is set rotating integrally with the first sleeve 121, and the projecting element 83 with which the auxiliary sleeve 821 is provided, as shown in Figure 24, counteracts the oscillating latch 40 of the first intermediate frame 21 , lifting it to the shown position.

It is evident, however, that the blade 42 of the oscillating latch 40 of the first intermediate frame 21 is not constrained to any fixed bracket 50 and therefore the fact that it is lifted does not affect the releasing operation.

The operation of the auxiliary sleeves 82, instead, is extremely important if, with reference to Figure 25, it is necessary to open a corridor, for example between the second intermediate frame 22 and the third intermediate frame 23. In this case, the second sleeve 122 and the second auxiliary sleeve 822 are arranged so that the second intermediate frame 22 is included between them, as shown in Figure 25 and, through the rotation of the tubular element 11 , the reference element 14 of the second intermediate frame 22 is connected between the projecting elements 13 of the second sleeve 122, as shown in Figure 26.

At the same time, its oscillating latch 40 is lifted due to the thrusting action of the projecting element 83 of the second auxiliary sleeve 822 that causes the blade 42 to come out of the seat 52 provided in the fixed bracket 50 belonging to the third intermediate frame 23.

At this point the second frame 22 is free from its connection with the third intermediate frame 23 and can be moved leftwards in the direction indicated by the arrow S to open the corridor C between the second and the third intermediate frame, respectively 22 and 23, as shown in Figure 27.

In this situation the fixed bracket 50 of the first intermediate frame 21 is coupled with the corresponding oscillating latch 40 of the head frame 2t.

The situation is thus as illustrated in Figure 27.

Obviously, by proceeding as described above it is possible to take action on any frame and to open the corresponding corridors in any point of the storage unit.

As already explained, the storage unit can comprise any number of frames, be it understood that the sorting unit and in particular the tubular element with which it is provided must comprise a number of sleeves corresponding to the number of carriages to be moved.

The sleeves must be angularly misaligned along the tubular element of an angle corresponding to the round angle fraction that is obtained by dividing 360° by the number of frames present.

On the basis of the above, it is clear that the storage unit that is the subject of the invention achieves all the set objects.

In particular, it is clear that all the frames can be moved using only two power units, both cooperating with the sorting unit.

In this way, the power means and the sorting unit are simple to construct.

Furthermore, the limited number of components moving in relation to each other and above all the absence of kinematic mechanisms with chains and belts and of couplings having toothed parts and gears in general, makes the operation of the storage unit more reliable and also quicker compared to equivalent storage units of known type.

It has also been shown that the storage unit of the invention rationalises the movement of the frames for accessing the materials supported by them.

Finally, the presence of the locking means firmly constrains the frame of the storage unit in the positions reached and the operation of the locking means is obtained by operating the same power units that cooperate with the sorting unit.

In the construction stage, the storage unit of the invention may be subjected to changes and modifications that are neither described herein nor shown in the drawings.

It is understood, however, that said changes or construction variants must all be considered protected by the present patent, provided that they fall within the scope of the claims expressed below.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference sings have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the protection of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1) Storage unit (1 ; 100) for thin items (L), comprising:

- a plurality of frames (2t; 2c; 2i; 21, 22, 23, 24) aligned one after the other and inclined so that they accommodate one or more of said thin items (L) resting on them, said thin items (L) being placed on top of each other and facing each other;

- a plurality of carriages (3; 31 , 32, 33, 34), each one associated with a corresponding frame (2i; 21 , 22, 23, 24);

- a supporting structure (4) on which said carriages (3; 31, 32, 33, 34) rest, suited to allow said carriages and the frames associated with them to be moved following a direction that is substantially parallel to the plane (a) defined by said supporting structure (4);

- a drive unit (5; 70) for said carriages (3; 31 , 32, 33, 34) comprising:

- a sorting unit (6) suited to select and be coupled with any one of said carriages (3; 31 , 32, 33, 34) comprising a first power unit (8) provided with encoder, connected to a control unit and mechanically connected to means (10) for coupling with the frames (2i; 21, 22, 23, 24) associated with said carriages (3; 31 , 32, 33, 34);

- power means (7) cooperating with said sorting unit (6) and suited to move the connected carriage in order to displace the frame associated with it with respect to the adjacent frame;

characterized in that said coupling means (10) comprise a tubular element (11) provided, on the outside, with a plurality of sleeves (12; 121 , 122, 123, 124), each one of which is provided with projecting elements (13) suited to be coupled with corresponding reference elements (14; 141 , 142, 143, 144) present in said frames (2i; 21, 22, 23, 24) associated with said carriages (3; 31 , 32, 33, 34), said tubular element being mechanically connected to said first power unit (8) through a mechanical joint (9).

2) Storage unit (1 ; 100) according to claim 1), characterized in that said mechanical joint (9) comprises a spline shaft (15) connected to said first power unit (8) and slidingly coupled into a grooved seat (16) created in said tubular element (11).

3) Storage unit (1 ; 100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said power means (7) comprise a second power unit (17) connected to a threaded shaft (18) and an internal thread (19) created inside said tubular element (11) and housing said threaded shaft (18).

4) Storage unit (1 ; 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said projecting elements (13) are two and spaced from and aligned with each other along a generatrix of the corresponding sleeve (12; 121 , 122, 123, 124).

5) Storage unit (1 ; 100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said frames (2t; 2c; 2i; 21, 22, 23, 24) has an L-shaped profile whose longer side (2a) forms an angle (γ) exceeding 90° with the plane (a) defined by said supporting structure (4).

6) Storage unit (1 ; 100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said frames (2t; 2c; 2i; 21 , 22, 23, 24) comprise a head frame (2t) and a tail frame (2c) which are both fixed and between which there is a plurality of intermediate frames (2i; 21 , 22, 23, 24) arranged one after the other and associated with corresponding carriages (3; 31 , 32, 33, 34).

7) Storage unit (1 ; 100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said frames (2t; 2c; 2i; 21 , 22, 23, 24) rest on said supporting structure (4).

8) Storage unit (1 ; 100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said power units (8; 17) comprises an electric motor (8a, 17a) provided with speed reducer (8b; 17b).

9) Storage unit (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (101) for locking each one of said frames against the frame adjacent to it.

10) Storage unit (100) according to claim 9), characterized in that each one of said locking means (101) comprises an oscillating latch (40) and a fixed bracket (50) that cooperate with each other to constrain each frame to the adjacent one.

11) Storage unit (100) according to claim 10), characterized in that each oscillating latch (40) is provided on one side with a rotation pin (41) and on the other side with a blade (42), and each fixed bracket (50) is provided with a seat (52) suited to house said blade (42) of said oscillating latch (40).