EP2825472B1 - Transport pallet of plastics material having stoppers acting on both sides to inhibit sliding - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a transport pallet made of plastic for the handling of goods, with an upper deck having a loading surface for goods and goods on an upper side. Below the upper deck engaging openings for lifting devices, such as forks of forklifts, formed, which are limited by support feet and / or a pallet base.

Plastic transport pallets can increasingly assert themselves against transport pallets of wood or metal because of their positive properties - in particular high stability, long service life, good cleanability, low cost, resistance to corrosion as well as many acids and alkalis, good recyclability and their low dead weight.

Plastic pallets have a low coefficient of friction because of the high degree of hardness of their material, which involves the risk that goods loaded on the pallet of the plastic pallet may slip during transport and even fall off the pallet. In addition, there is a risk of slipping the pallet off the lifting device, such as tines of a forklift engaging the pallet engaging holes, so that a pallet received by the lifting device, including cargo during transport through the lifting device, may fall therefrom. Another danger is the slipping of the pallet on a smooth and / or inclined ground, especially moist, dirty or greasy ground.

A large number of technical solutions are already known for reducing these dangers and risks. So describes DE 10 2005 003 725 A1 a slip-resistant coating on the loading surface a plastic pallet. In addition revealed DE 10 2006 054 358 A1 a plastic pallet, in which the loading area, footprint and attack surface for the lifting device are provided with a slip-resistant layer.

The slip-resistant layers are each applied to the pallet via a complex, multi-step injection molding process. Furthermore, in the case of their wear, which occurs in particular by abrasion, these layers can be restored only with considerable effort.

A transport pallet according to the preamble of claim 1 is made US 6 199 488 B1 known.

Object of the present invention is to provide a transport pallet made of plastic with slip-resistant surfaces, which does not have the above disadvantages and is possible to produce cost.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1, wherein expedient refinements are characterized by the features of the subclaims.

The plastic transport pallet according to the invention comprises an upper deck with a top and a bottom. On the top of a loading area for goods and goods is formed. Below the bottom engaging openings for lifting devices, such as tines of forklifts, provided, wherein the engagement openings are laterally limited by support legs. Down the engagement openings may be open or limited by a pallet base, in particular a lower deck, a frame or runners. In the upper deck receptacles are formed with an inner receiving recess in which plugs are arranged, wherein the plugs are formed of an elastically compressible material having a higher coefficient of friction than the pallet material, so that they are slip-resistant compared to the plastic. The plugs have an upper end surface at one longitudinal end and a lower end surface at the other longitudinal end, and when arranged in the pallet extend from the top of the upper deck to the lower surface of the upper deck. In this case, the upper end face and / or the lower end face of the plug protrude from the upper deck at least partially. Since the plugs gleithemmend, in particular with a higher coefficient of friction than the plastic pallet are formed, they effect a simultaneous improvement of the slip resistance of the loading surface for goods and the attack surface for the lifting device. The elastic material of the plug has the further advantage that it is particularly well elastically deformable and the plug thus the geometry of the recording is better adaptable than a comparable stopper made of a less elastic material. This allows greater manufacturing tolerances and easier assembly of the plug. In addition, thus being damaged the goods to be supported counteracted by the protruding plug, which also also have a insulating effect.

Preferably, the plugs are formed of rubber or the like rubbery material. Rubber has a higher elasticity and a higher coefficient of friction than the material of the plastic pallet and is therefore particularly suitable for the solution of the object according to the invention.

In a further aspect of the invention, the plugs preferably have a Shore hardness in a range of A 60 to A 90. While too soft a rubber compound carries the risk of too rapid wear of the plug, is in a too hard rubber compound a sufficient. Slide inhibition no longer guaranteed by the stopper.

According to the invention, the plugs can have a multiplicity of shapes, in particular an oval, round, rectangular, triangular or other polygonal cross-section.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the stopper has at least one recess which extends essentially on the stopper longitudinal axis or parallel to it from the upper end face into the interior of the stopper, preferably into an area adjacent to the lower shoulder. It is inventively provided that the recess is opened as a blind hole to the upper end face. The recess improves the elastic deformability of the plug and thus facilitates the assembly of the plug.

According to the invention, the plugs taper conically from the top to the bottom of the upper deck. The recording has a corresponding taper. As a result, the assembly of the plug and the rigidity of the recording are improved. In addition, the risk of squeezing the plug out of the receptacle by the lifting device is considerably reduced.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the plugs have a clamping rib which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plug. The clamping rib is designed to exert lateral pressure against the receptacle when inserted into the receptacle stopper, and thereby to experience a substantially elastic deformation. In this way, a centering of the plug is achieved in the recording. Thus, the retention of the plug is favored in the receptacle and so that the wear of the plug reduced. In addition, the clamping rib allows greater manufacturing tolerances for plugging and recording. Furthermore, embodiments are provided according to the invention, which have a plurality of clamping ribs in order to further improve the centering of the plug in the receptacle. Advantageously, the clamping rib is dimensioned so that it is elastically deformed when inserted into the receptacle, wherein restoring forces are built up, which ensure a firm and / or centered fit of the plug in the recording even with tolerance deviations.

Preferably, the clamping rib is formed circumferentially around the plug to optimize the centering of the plug in the receptacle. From a manufacturing point of view, a continuous design of the clamping ribs is to be preferred to a section-wise design, which, however, can also be implemented as required.

In a preferred embodiment, the clamping ribs have a wedge-shaped cross section. The tapering direction of the clamping rib corresponds to the tapering direction of the plug. In this way, the insertion of the plug is facilitated in the recording and favors the elastic deformation of the clamping rib.

In another aspect, a clamping rib is disposed in a lower third of the plugs facing the underside. This has a positive influence on the centering of the plug, and is particularly important in the assembly of importance.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plugs have on at least one end a radially outwardly projecting, in particular annular shoulder. This can be both an upper shoulder, which is arranged on an upper side of the upper deck facing the region of the plug, as well as a lower shoulder, which is arranged on a lower side of the upper deck facing area. A radially outwardly projecting upper shoulder also has the advantage that the goods side, anti-slip surface is increased. A radially projecting lower shoulder increases the anti-sliding surface on the attack surface for the tines of the lifting device and also prevents squeezing the plug, in particular by the lifting device with unloaded or only partially loaded pallets. An upper or lower shoulder is preferably designed to protrude radially beyond an adjacent region of the receiving recess, in order thus to limit an axial penetration of the shoulder into the receptacle by positive engagement.

Furthermore, it is preferred that at least one receptacle has a particular annular shoulder for the at least partial sinking of a shoulder. The step formed by an annular recess is disposed between the loading surface and the underside of the upper deck. In this way, a portion of the shoulder of the plug is sunk in the upper deck and thus reduces the risk of lateral shearing of the shoulder from the remainder of the plug. Preferably, such a shoulder is arranged on the upper side of the upper deck.

Another aspect of the invention provides that the upper end face and / or the lower end face of the plug at least partially have a convex, in particular slightly convex shape. A convex shape of the upper end surface leads to a reduction of the stress of the plug by acting transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plug forces and to a reduction of wear, without the slide-inhibiting effect of the plug is adversely affected. Furthermore, the loading and unloading of the pallet is hereby facilitated. In addition, the knocking of the plug is facilitated by a convex shape of the lower end face of the plug into the receptacle. Accordingly, a preferred embodiment provides that both end faces of the plug are convex.

In other aspects, a profile with at least one elevation is formed on the upper end face and / or the lower end face. There are embodiments with a plurality of local elevations, e.g. Pimples, possible. In addition, an elevation may have an elongated shape and extend in any direction over the end face. Accordingly, embodiments are provided according to the invention, in which the increase around a longitudinal axis of the plug around, in particular annular or spiral, extends. By profiling the corresponding end face of the plug undergoes an increase in the effective coefficient of friction and thus serves to increase the caused by the plug slip inhibition.

In a further aspect, at least a portion of the top end face of the plug protrudes from 0.5 to 4 mm, in particular to 3 mm or more preferably to 2 mm, beyond the pallet surface. This ensures, on the one hand, that the plug provides the goods to be transported on the pallet enough attack surface to ensure sufficient slip resistance. On the other hand, a restriction of the protrusion of the upper end face of the plug for ensuring a reasonable life of the plug and the intended usability of the pallet is advantageous.

In other aspects, the plugs can also be arranged in a lower deck, runners, frame and / or support feet. This serves to improve slip resistance of a pallet parked on one surface, in particular a bottom surface or the loading surface of another pallet.

Fig. 1

eine Perspektivansicht einer Ausführungsform einer Kunststoffpalette in der Lage der üblichen Verwendung, wobei die Beladefläche nach oben weist;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Detailansicht von unten einer Ausführungsform einer im Oberdeck ausgebildeten Aufnahme;

Fig. 3

eine Perspektivansicht einer Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Stopfens, wobei die obere Stirnfläche des Stopfens erkennbar ist;

Fig. 4

eine Schnittansicht von der Seite einer Ausführungsform eines in einer Aufnahme gehaltenen Stopfens;

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to purely schematic drawings. Show in it

Fig. 1

a perspective view of an embodiment of a plastic pallet in the position of the usual use, with the loading surface facing upwards;

Fig. 2

a perspective detail view from below of an embodiment of a formed in the upper deck receptacle;

Fig. 3

a perspective view of an embodiment of a plug according to the invention, wherein the upper end face of the plug is visible;

Fig. 4

a sectional view from the side of an embodiment of a stopper held in a receptacle;

In the Fig. 1 Pictured plastic pallet 1 serves purely as an illustrative example to illustrate conventional, common palettes. It has a plate-shaped, substantially continuous upper deck 2, which is connected via a plurality of support legs 7 with a pallet base 8, wherein the pallet base 8 is formed in this embodiment as a continuous lower deck. In alternative, not shown embodiments, the pallet base 8 may be formed from the support legs connecting runners or a frame. Other embodiments that have no pallet base 8 are possible within the scope of the invention.

Between the upper deck 2, the support legs 7 and the pallet base 8 engagement openings 6 are formed for conventional lifting devices, such as the tines of a forklift. The upper deck 2 comprises a top 3 and a bottom 4, wherein the bottom 4 faces the support legs 7 and the pallet base 8. On the top 3 of the upper deck 2, the loading surface 5 is formed for receiving the abzustellende on the transport pallet 1 transport or storage goods. Distributed over the upper deck 2 are a plurality of receptacles 9 for receiving plugs 20, not shown, which are shown only diagrammatically in this illustration and which are described below in FIG Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 be explained in more detail. Furthermore, the upper deck 2 in alternative Embodiments comprise a plurality, eg strip-shaped components, which are arranged closely adjacent to each other or spaced apart, and define a common loading surface 5.

The in Fig. 2 shown, enlarged section of a portion of the bottom 4 of the upper deck 2 shows in the center of a receptacle 9 for a stopper 20, not shown in this figure according to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 , A receiving wall 11 is formed around a receiving longitudinal axis 10 around and defines a cone-shaped receiving space, which widens towards the top 3 out. The receiving wall 11 is formed of a plurality of circumferentially and spaced-apart ribs 12 and in this embodiment comprises four ribs 12, which are separated by slots 13 from each other.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a plug 20 according to the invention in a perspective view. The plug 20 is rotationally symmetrical about the plug longitudinal axis 21, and is limited at an upper end by an upper end face 26 and at a lower end by a lower end face 29 in the longitudinal direction. In non-illustrated embodiments, the plug may have a plurality of different cross-sections, in particular square, triangular, round or oval. The plug 20 includes a radially projecting upper shoulder 22, an intermediate portion 23, and a lower shoulder 24 again projecting radially from the intermediate portion 23. In the intermediate portion 23, the plug 20 has a conical taper from the upper shoulder 22 to the lower shoulder 24. In one of the lower shoulder 24 adjacent third of the intermediate portion 23 a radially projecting and circumferential clamping rib 25 is arranged, which is wedge-shaped in this embodiment and tapers towards the lower shoulder 24. The upper shoulder 22 has an upper inner surface 28 and an upper edge region 27. On the lower shoulder 24, a lower inner surface 31 and a lower edge region 30 is formed. In the in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 illustrated preferred embodiment, the circumferential upper shoulder 22 of the plug 20 has a larger diameter than the circumferential lower shoulder 24.

The plug 20 preferably comprises a cylindrical recess 33 which extends coaxially to the plug longitudinal axis 21 and is open towards the upper end face 26 of the plug 20. The recess 33 is formed in this embodiment as a blind hole and terminates in one of the lower shoulder 24 adjacent region of the plug 20. In alternative embodiments, the recess 33 may also be formed as a through hole or end at another location in the plug 20. The cross section of the recess 33 is not necessarily round and can, for example be oval, triangular or rectangular. In alternative embodiments, the plug 20 may have a plurality of recesses, which preferably extend parallel to the plug longitudinal axis 21.

On the upper end face 26 of the Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment of the plug 20 elevations 32 are arranged, which extend annularly coaxially around the plug longitudinal axis 21 around. In alternative embodiments, the lower end face 29 may also have such elevations 32. The upper end surface 26 and lower end surface 29 are formed in this example substantially convex. Alternatively, the upper end surface 26 and the lower end surface 29 may have a circumferential chamfer, which is preferably formed in an edge region of the corresponding end face.

The in Fig. 4 illustrated plug 20 with conical intermediate portion 23 is centrally inserted into the conical receptacle 9, so that the receiving longitudinal axis 10 and plug longitudinal axis 21 coincide. The plug 20 projects beyond the shoulder 14 of the receptacle 9 with the upper shoulder 22 and rests with the upper inner surface 28 on the shoulder 14. As a result, further penetration of the plug 20 in the upper deck 2 is positively prevented. The radially projecting, lower shoulder 24 extends beyond the receiving end 15 radially and thus prevents slipping out of the plug 20 from the receptacle 9. Between the lower inner surface 31 of the lower shoulder 24 and the receiving end 15, a gap is formed in the axial direction, which consists of manufacturing and mounting reasons is preferably present. During assembly of the plug 20, the lower shoulder 24 with the ribs 12 of the receiving wall 11 in contact and is deformed in a further axial displacement of the plug 20 in the receptacle 9 progressive and elastic. In this case, the lower shoulder 24 is bent in particular in the direction of the upper shoulder 22. At the end of the assembly process, the lower shoulder 24 slides completely through the receiving end 15 and jumps back into the in Fig. 4 shown starting position back.

The circumferential clamping rib 25 also comes during the assembly process with the ribs 12 of the receiving wall 11 in contact and thereby undergoes an elastic deformation. The resulting restoring forces are compressive forces that favor a centering and fixing of the plug 20 in the receptacle 9. Thus, a secure fit of the plug 20 can be ensured in the receptacle 9 even with larger manufacturing tolerances. A central recess 33 of the plug 20 is formed as a blind hole and extends from the upper end face 26 of the plug into an area adjacent to the lower shoulder 24. It serves to increase the elasticity of the plug 20 with respect to forces acting transversely to the plug longitudinal axis 21, and thus facilitates the hammering of the plug 20 into the receptacle 9.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

pallet

2

upper deck

3

top

4

bottom

5

loading area

6

engagement opening

7

Support foot

8th

Pallet base

9

admission

10

recording longitudinal axis

11

receiving wall

12

rib

13

slot

14

paragraph

15

receiving end

20

Plug

21

plug longitudinal axis

22

Upper shoulder

23

intermediate area

24

Lower shoulder

25

clamping rib

26

Upper face

27

Upper edge area

28

Upper inner surface

29

Lower face

30

Lower edge area

31

Lower inner surface

32

increase

33

recess

Claims (13)

1. A transport pallet (1) made from plastic material comprising an upper deck (2) with the upper deck (2) having a top side (3) with a loading surface (5) for products and goods as well as a bottom side (4), wherein engagement openings (6) for lifting devices like forks of fork lifts are provided below the upper deck (2) which engagement openings are defined by support bases (7) and/or a pallet base (8), wherein receivers (9) are configured in the upper deck (2) in which receivers plugs (29) made from a material with a higher friction coefficient than the pallet material are provided, wherein the plugs (20) extend from the top side (3) to the bottom side (4) of the upper deck (2), protrude in an outward direction with their face ends from the upper deck at their top side and at their bottom side and wherein the plugs are configured conical and taper from the top side (3) to the bottom side (4) of the upper deck (2),
   characterized in that
   the plugs (20) each comprise one or plural clamping rib(s) (25) which extend transversally to the longitudinal direction of the plug (20), that the receivers (9) each comprise a receiving wall (11) which limits a cone-shaped receiving space and are formed from ribs (12) arranged over the circumference at a distance from one another and separated from one another by slots (13) and in that the clamping rib(s) (25) is/are configured such that it/they apply pressure laterally by way of elastic deformation on the receiver (9) when the plug (20) is inserted into the receiver (9).
2. The transport pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the plugs (20) are made from elastically compressible material, in particular from rubber.
3. The transport pallet according to claim 2, characterized in that the plugs (20) have a Shore hardness of A60 to A90.
4. The transport pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plugs (20) comprise a recess (33) which extends essentially in a direction of the plug longitudinal axis (21) and which is preferably configured as a dead hole.
5. The transport pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping ribs (25) each protrude radially to the outside and are dimensioned such that the clamping rib (25) is elastically deformed in an inserted position of the plug (20) wherein reset forces are built up.
6. The transport pallet according to claim 5, characterized in that the clamping rib (25) is configured annular circumferential or circumferential in sections.
7. The transport pallet according to one of the claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the clamping rib (25) has a wedge shaped cross-section.
8. The transport pallet according to one of the claims 5 to 7, characterized in that a clamping rib (25) is arranged in the third of the plug (20) which is adjacent to the bottom side (4).
9. The transport pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plugs (20) include a radially outwardly protruding upper shoulder (22) and/or a radially upwardly protruding lower shoulder (24) at a lower longitudinal end, each extending transversally to the longitudinal extension of the plug (20) and preferably being formed annular, and that the receiver (9) includes at least one step (14) which provides a contact surface for a shoulder (22, 24) and which is arranged between the loading surface (5) and the bottom side (4) of the upper deck (2).
10. The transport pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one longitudinal end of the plug (20) provides one at least partially convex front face (26, 29).
11. The transport pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a profile with at least one protrusion (32) is formed at the upper front face (26) and/or the lower front face (29) of the plugs (20).
12. The transport pallet according to claim 11, characterized in that the protrusion (32) extends circumferentially over the upper front face (26) and/or lower front face (29) of the plugs (20).
13. The transport pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front faces (26, 29) of the plugs protrude 0.5 to 4 mm, in particular 3 mm, preferably up to 2 mm over the pallet surface.

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