EP3682134A1

EP3682134A1 - Dock bumper

Info

Publication number: EP3682134A1
Application number: EP18769978.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Armin Huber; Christian Rauch; Martin Ebenhofer
Original assignee: SGF Sueddeutsche Gelenkscheibenfabrik GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: SGF Sueddeutsche Gelenkscheibenfabrik GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2017-09-11
Filing date: 2018-09-11
Publication date: 2020-07-22
Also published as: US20200262662A1; CN111279096A; CN111279096B; DE102017008542A1; WO2019048694A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dock bumper (10; 110) for attaching to a building, comprising: • - at least one fixation system (12) for fixing the dock bumper (10; 110), • - at least one elastic body (14) connected to the at least one fixation system (12), and • - at least one impact system (16) for transmitting to the elastic body (14) the impact forces arising from the impact of the vehicle.

Description

Buffers

The present invention relates to a starting buffer for attachment to a building with a loading dock, a cargo bay, a dock leveler or the like.

Such start-up buffers are attached to a building in the area of the loading ramp, etc. For loading and unloading, the vehicles, in particular lorries, drive backwards to the loading ramp. In order to keep the distance between the loading area of the vehicle and the loading ramp as low as possible, the vehicles are approached to the loading dock until a contact between the vehicle, which may also have a buffer, and the starting buffer exists. The bumpers prevent damage to the vehicle and the building when the vehicle drives against the bump stop.

Various starting buffers are known from the prior art. The document DE 103 58 041 B3 discloses a docking buffer for attachment to a loading dock. The docking buffer according to this document has a first U-shaped part, a second U-shaped part and an elastic damping element. The legs of the second U-shaped part are arranged adjacent and relatively movable to the legs of the first U-shaped part. The elastic damping element is disposed within the U-shaped parts. Document DE 103 13 268 A1 discloses a start-up buffer having a mounting frame and a buffer block. The height of the buffer block is adjustable by means of a linear drive such as a piston-cylinder unit.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a start-up buffer which has an increased durability with a simple structure.

This object is achieved with a start-up buffer having the features of patent claim 1.

Further embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

The start-up buffer according to the invention comprises at least one fastening device for fastening the starting buffer to a building, at least one elastic body connected to the at least one fastening device, and at least one stop device for transmitting the in the event of a stop Vehicle resulting impact forces on the elastic body. The at least one elastic body has an elastically deformable structure, which is designed such that the stop device can be deflected with elastic deformation of the elastically deformable structure relative to the fastening device.

The starting buffer according to the invention can take up relative movements between the fastening device and the stop device with the elastically deformable structure of the elastic body. Relative movements between the fastening device and the stop device may occur when the stop device of the starting buffer comes into contact or is in contact with a vehicle. In this state, for example, the level or the height of the vehicle can be adapted to the height of the loading ramp. Furthermore, the level of the vehicle may change during loading and unloading. When loading, the level of the vehicle can be lowered by compression of the vehicle suspension. When unloading the level of the vehicle may increase due to rebound of the vehicle suspension. The approach buffer according to the invention can accommodate such changes in the level of the vehicle by an elastic deformation of the elastically deformierba ^¬ ren structure, which is triggered by a relative movement between the area in contact with the vehicle stop means and the building is burst ^¬ th, stationary fastener. As a result, damage to the start-up buffer can be prevented and the service life can thus be increased.

In large vertical movements, and thus a strong elastic deformation of the elastically deformable structure of the stop means the thickness of the docking buffer according to the invention, thereby reducing the from the vehicle to the docking buffer ausgeüb ^¬ te abutment force or contact pressure is reduced due to the displacement relative to the fastening device. By reducing the

Stopping force or contact force also reduces the static friction between the start-up buffer and the vehicle, whereby the stop device of the start-up buffer and the section of the vehicle in contact with the start-up buffer can slide on each other during a further relative movement. In other words, the elastic deformation of the elastically deformable structure will be limited to a predetermined path by reducing the thickness of the docking buffer or the elasti ^¬'s body and the consequent sliding of the stop means on the vehicle. As a result, overload damage to the starting buffer can be prevented in case of excessive relative movements, which also increases the service life. The approach buffer according to the invention provides thus a kind of "self-protection effect" ready.

The elastically deformable structure may be formed such that the stopper is deflectable in a direction under elastic deformation relative to the attachment means, which is perpendicular to a bi-directional plane in which the elastic body receives relative movements of the stopper relative to the attachment means can.

The elastically deformable structure of the elastic body may comprise at least one web. In a relative movement in the vertical direction between the stop device and the fastening device, the at least one web can be deflected elastically. The elastically deformable structure may include a plurality of lands extending substantially parallel to one another in the elastic body. The webs extend in the area between the

Stop device and the fastening device. The at least one web can provide a restoring force that can move the elastically deformable structure back to its starting position after a load.

The at least one web may be formed by at least one recess in the elastic body. In the elastic body a plurality of recesses may be provided to form the webs. About the recesses, the width and length of the webs can be determined. The recesses may extend over the entire cross section of the elastic body through the elastic body.

The at least one web can extend perpendicular to the fastening device and the stop device. The at least one web may extend substantially parallel to the line of action of a force acting on the stop device during a stop of a vehicle. If a force acts in a direction parallel to the webs on the starting buffer, the starting buffer or the elastic body is relatively stiff. If the loading of the starting buffer in another direction, the stopper can be deflected, ie in this direction, the starting buffer or the elastic body is relatively soft. In a deflection of the stop device relative to the fastening device, the webs may extend obliquely to the fastening device. By this inclination of the webs, the thickness of the starting buffer can be reduced, whereby the static friction between the stop device and the vehicle can be reduced. The at least one stop device may extend substantially along the entire elastically deformable structure. The at least one stop device can introduce the stop force into the elastically deformable structure of the elastic body and distribute it over the entire cross section of the elastically deformable structure. As a result, the section of a vehicle that is in contact with the stop device can not penetrate locally or punctually into the starting buffer. Due to the distribution of force over the entire cross section of the elastically deformable structure by means of the stop means, the starting buffer can be relatively stiff in a direction parallel to the force acting on the starting buffer.

The at least one stop device may have at least one plate-shaped stop element. The plate-shaped stopper member may extend substantially over the entire cross section of the elastically deformable structure. The plate-shaped abutment element can distribute the impact force over the entire cross-section of the elastically deformable structure and introduce it into the elastically deformable structure. The at least one stop device may have an elastic layer. The elastic layer may come into contact with a vehicle when the vehicle is traveling against the starting buffer. The elastic layer may extend along the plate-shaped stopper member. The elastic layer is provided on the side facing away from the elastic body of the stop device. The elastic layer may have a predetermined thickness. For example, the elastic layer may have a thickness of about 1 cm. The elastic layer may be connected to the elastic body. The elastic layer may be formed integrally with the elastic body. However, the elastic layer may also be formed separately from the elastic body and extend exclusively along the plate-shaped stop member. The elastic layer can also be exchangeable. For example, the elastic layer may be detachable with the at least one

be connected plate-shaped stop element to be replaced at a strong wear or damage to the elastic layer can. However, it is also conceivable to provide no elastic layer on the stop device. In this case, the surface of the starting buffer may be formed, for example, by the plate-shaped stopper member. The fastening device may have at least one plate-shaped fastening element. The plate-shaped fastening element can be connected to a building in order to fasten the starting buffer in the region of the loading ramp to the building. The starting buffer may have at least one fastening opening which extends through the at least one stop device, the at least one elastic body and the at least one fastening device. In other words, the mounting holes extend completely through the starting buffer and thus through all parts of the starting buffer. The attachment opening In the attachment device may have a shoulder on which reduces its diameter.

The fastening device may have at least one fastening bush which is accommodated in the at least one fastening opening in the fastening device. The fastening bushing can rest with its end section against the shoulder of the fastening opening in the fastening device. The fastening bushing may have a radial section and a tubular section. An opening may be formed in the radial section. Through this opening fastening means can be performed, via which the starting buffer can be connected to a building wall. The fasteners can be inserted through the mounting holes in the starting buffer and brought into contact with the mounting socket. The fastening means can be supported with their head on the radial portion of the mounting bushing. A corresponding tool for the fastening means can also be introduced through the mounting holes in order to connect the fastening means with the building wall can.

The at least one elastic body can be composed of a plurality of elastic partial bodies. The elastic partial bodies can each have an elastically deformable structure. Accordingly, the elastic body can each have at least one web and at least one recess. The elastic part body can be arranged so that their webs and recesses are in alignment. An approach buffer may, for example, have an elastic body which is composed of four elastic part bodies. The part bodies may abut each other and yet not be directly connected to each other. Each elastic part body may have two plate-shaped elements, which serve for connection to the stop plate and the mounting plate. The plates of the elastic part body may have openings, which communicate with the stop device. tion and the fastening device can be connected. In this case, the stop device and the fastening device also have openings. The elastic partial bodies can thus be connected to one another via the stop device and the fastening device, so that a compact starting buffer is formed. After the stop device has been connected to the partial bodies, the stop device is provided with the elastic layer. The starting buffer can also be designed without an elastic layer on the stop device. In this case, the surface of the starting buffer can be formed by the plate-shaped stop element.

The at least one elastic body may be made of a rubber such as an elastomer. The elastic body may further be made of, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer or a thermoplastic polyurethane. The elastic layer may also be made from these materials. The at least one plate-shaped stop element may be made of metal. Preferably, the plate-shaped stop element may be made of steel, aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The at least one mounting plate may also be made of a metal.

The elastically deformable structure may comprise at least one web which has at least one thickening. In other words, the at least one web may be bulbous. The at least one thickening may be located in a central region of the at least one web. Towards the ends of the at least one web, the cross section of the at least one web can be reduced starting from the at least one thickening. By the at least one thickening of the at least one web, a buckling of the at least one web can be prevented, i. the bridge is stiffened by the thickening in its central area. Due to the thicker cross-section of the at least one web in its central region, at least one of the end regions of the at least one web can form a joint, since the at least one web has a thinner or a reduced cross-section (compared to the thickening) in one or both end regions. By means of the joint on one or both of the end regions of the at least one web, the web can be deflected as a whole in the region of the joint without buckling in its central region.

The at least one elastically deformable structure may have a plurality of webs. The elastically deformable structure may have at least one web without thickening and at least one web with a thickening. The at least one The web with at least one thickening may be arranged in the longitudinal direction at an end region of the elastically deformable structure. Furthermore, at least one web with at least one thickening may be provided at both end regions of the at least one elastically deformable structure. At least one web without thickening may be provided between the webs with the at least one thickening. It can be provided with a thickening several webs. The webs with a thickening may be formed in groups on the elastically deformable structure. In each case a group of webs with a thickening can be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the starting buffer at each end region of the starting buffer.

The at least one web may extend at rest or in the unloaded state of the starting buffer at a predetermined angle to the at least one fastening device. The predetermined angle may be 90 °. However, the predetermined angle can also be unequal to 90 ° in the unloaded state of the starting buffer. The elastically deformable structure may include at least one ridge extending at an angle of substantially 90 ° to the at least one fastener and at least one ridge extending at an angle other than 90 ° to the at least one fastener. The at least one web extending at an angle other than 90 ° to the at least one fastening means may be provided at an end portion of the elastically deformable structure. Furthermore, at least one web can be provided at each end region of the elastically deformable structure which extends at an angle not equal to 90 ° to the at least one fastening device. The angle of the at least one web at one end region may differ from the angle of the at least one web at the respective other end region of the elastically deformable structure. With the at least one web which extends at an angle of not equal to 90 ° to the at least one fastening device, it can be ensured that the starting buffer or the elastically deformable structure is set back into the starting position after the impact of a vehicle. The at least one web or webs extending at an angle other than 90 ° to the fastener may generate an increased restoring force that may return the elastically deformable structure to its original position.

The elastically deformable structure may have at least one recess. The at least one recess may be resilient in a central region deformable structure are located. The at least one recess may be so formed in the elastically deformable structure that the he stretches at least one recess between a plurality of lands of the elastically deformable structure ^¬. Due to the at least one recess, the elastically deformable structure may have shorter webs and longer webs. The shorter webs may have an extension that is less than or equal to half the extent of the longer webs. By the at least one recess, the weight of the Anfahrpuffers can be reduced. Furthermore, it can be achieved by the at least one recess that the at least one starting buffer has a more uniform rigidity over its entire cross section.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a starting buffer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

Figure 1 is a partially broken, perspective view of a starting buffer according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the start-up buffer according to the first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along section line III-III in Figure 2;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view along the section line IV-IV in FIG. 2:

Figure 5 is a partially broken, perspective view of a Anfahrpuf ^¬ fers according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the starting buffer according to the second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along section line VII-VII in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along section line VIII-VIII in Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a starting buffer according to a third

Embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is a perspective sectional view of the start-up buffer according to the third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the start-up buffer according to the third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken along the section line XII-XII in Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken along the section line XIII-XIII in Figure 11;

Figure 14 is a plan view of a starting buffer according to an embodiment of the third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken along section line XV-XV in Figure 14; and

FIG. 16 shows a sectional view along the section line XVI-XVI in FIG. 14.

FIG. 1 shows a partially cut-away, perspective view of a starting buffer 10. The starting buffer 10 has a fastening device 12, an elastic body 14 and a stop device 16. The elastic body 14 extends between the fastening device 12 and the stop device 16. The fastening device 12 is used for fastening the starting buffer 10 to a building in the region of a loading ramp (not shown).

The stopper 16 is formed by a stopper plate 18 and an elastic layer 20 extending along the stopper plate 18. The stopper plate 18 may be a metal plate made of, for example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The elastic layer 20 may be connected to the metal plate 18 cohesively. The elastic layer 20 is formed integrally with the elastic body 14. The stopper plate 18 of the stopper 16 is thus completely embedded in the elastic material of the elastic layer 20 and the elastic body 14. The elastic layer 20 and the elastic body 14 may be made of rubber such as an elastomer, for example. Further, the elastic layer 20 and the elastic body 14 may be made of a thermoplastic elastomer or a thermoplastic polyurethane. It is also conceivable to use another plastic for the elastic Layer 20 and / or the elastic body 14. The elastic layer 20 comes into direct contact with a striking vehicle and transmits the impact forces or the contact forces on the stop plate 18, which in turn transmits the impact forces or contact forces to the elastic body 14 ,

The elastic body 14 has an elastically deformable structure 22 that can accommodate relative movements between the stopper 16 and the fastener 12. The elastically deformable structure 22 may include a

Relative movement of the stopper 16 relative to the stationary attached to the building fastenings u ngsei n richtung ng 12 in the x-, y- and z-direction record. In an elastic deformation of the elastically deformable structure 22 in the x direction, the fastening device 12 and the stopper 16 are moved towards each other. A relative movement in the x direction takes place when a vehicle drives against the start-up buffer 10. In the state of the starting buffer 10 attached to the building in the region of a loading ramp, the x direction entered in the figures corresponds to the horizontal direction. In addition, the stop device 16 can be deflected elastically under elastic deformation of the elastically deformable structure 22 in the z direction. Due to the elastic deflectability in the z-direction, the stop device 16 can follow vertical movements of the vehicle, which occur, for example, during loading and unloading of the vehicle or during the level control of the vehicle.

The elastically deformable structure 22 has a plurality of webs 24. The webs 24 are formed by recesses 26 in the elastic body 14. For reasons of clarity, only individual webs 24 and individual recesses 26 are provided with reference numerals in FIG. The webs 24 and recesses 26 extend in the x-direction in the elastic body 14 in the region between the fastening device 12 and the stop means 16. The recesses 26 extend completely through the elastic body 14th

The fastening device 12 has a fastening plate 28, which is preferably made of a metal. The elastic body 14 may be materially connected to the mounting plate 28. The startup buffer 10 also has attachment openings 30 and 32 that extend through all parts of the startup buffer 10. Accordingly, an opening 34 is formed in the elastic layer 20. The stop plate 18 of the stop device 16 has the openings at 36. In the mounting plate 28, the opening 38 is formed, which has a shoulder 40.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the starting buffer 10. In FIG. 2, the stop device 16 with its elastic layer 20 can be seen. The elastic layer 20 has an opening 34, which is part of the attachment openings 30, 32. The attachment openings 30 and 32 extend completely through the start-up buffer 10.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view along the section line III-III in FIG. 2. The recesses 26 forming the webs 24 are formed in the elastic body 14. The webs 24 and the recesses 26 extend completely through the elastic body 14 therethrough. Between the recesses 26 and the plates 18, 28 a layer of the elastic material is retained, so that the recesses 26 do not reach directly to the plates 18, 28. In the unloaded state, the webs 24 extend perpendicular to the stop plate 18 and the mounting plate 28th

The attachment openings 30, 32 extend completely through the start-up buffer 10. The mounting holes 30, 32 are composed of the openings 34, 36, 38 and 42 of the elastic layer 20, the stop plate 18, the mounting plate 28 and the elastic body 14 together. In the mounting holes 30, 32 mounting bushings 44 are provided. The mounting bushes 44 are supported with their end faces on the shoulder 40 of the openings 38 in the mounting plate 28. The fixing bush 44 has a tubular portion and a radially extending portion. In the radially extending portion openings 46 are formed through which a not shown fastening means such as a screw can be performed. The fastener may be supported with its head on the radial portion of the mounting sleeve 44 in order to support the necessary clamping forces for attachment of the approach buffer to a building in the region of the loading dock (not shown).

The webs 24 can be deformed elastically relative to the stationary attached to a building fastening device 12 in a relative movement in the z-direction of the stopper 16. As shown schematically in FIG. 3, the webs 24 are elastically deflected during a relative movement in the z-direction, that is to say under loads in the z-direction. The webs 24 then extend obliquely to the fastening device 12, wherein the positions of the ends of the webs 24 at the Fastening device 12 remains substantially unchanged compared to the unloaded state. The positions of the ends on the stopper 16 change due to the deflection of the stopper 16 in the z-direction and also in the x-direction. Correspondingly, as a result of the deflection of the stop device 16 or due to the resulting inclined position of the webs 24, the extent of the starting buffer 10 in the x direction is reduced. This reduction in the extension of the starting buffer 10 is shown schematically in FIG. The extension of the starting buffer 10 decreases in the x-direction compared to the unloaded state shown in Figure 3, the starting buffer 10 by the amount Δχ. As a result of this reduction in the extension of the starting buffer 10, the static friction between the stop device 16 and in particular the elastic layer 20 and the pressed-on vehicle can be reduced, so that the elastic layer 20 and the vehicle can slide against one another in the z-direction during large relative movements. As a result, it can be prevented that the elastic structure 22 is overloaded in the vertical direction when the relative movement of the vehicle is too great, as would be the case, for example, when the webs 24 are overstretched. In other words, by reducing the extension of the startup buffer 10 and the extension of the elastic body 14 in the x-direction, the elastic deformation of the elastically deformable structure 22 can be limited to a predetermined path in the z-direction.

4 shows a sectional view through a web 24 and the attachment opening 32. The webs 24 extend over the entire width of the start-up buffer 10

The elastic body 14 is connected to the stop plate 18 of the stopper 16 and the mounting plate 28 of the fastening device 12 by a material connection. From a synopsis of Figures 3 and 4 it is clear that the metal plate 18 of the stopper 16 is completely embedded in the elastic material of the elastic layer 20 and the elastic body 14. Since the plates 18, 28 are materially bonded to the elastic body 14, the starting buffer 10 forms a compact unit which can be handled as a part.

FIG. 5 shows a partially cut-away, perspective view of a starting buffer 110. The starting buffer 110 has a fastening device 12, an elastic body 14 and a stop device 16. The elastic body 14 sets is composed of four elastic part bodies 14i, 14 ₂ , 14 ₃ , 14 ₄ together. The elastic partial bodies 14i, 14 ₂ , 14 ₃ , 14 ₄ each have two plates 48, 50, which are materially connected to the respective elastic partial body 14i, 14 ₂ , 14 ₃ , 14 ₄ . The plates 48 and 50 can be screwed to the stop plate 18 of the stopper 16 and the mounting plate 28 of the fastener 12. For this purpose, 16 openings 52 are formed in the stop plate 18 of the stopper. Such openings are also formed in the mounting plate 28 of the fastening device 12, but not visible in Figure 5. The plates 50 have openings 54 which serve to connect to the mounting plate 28. In the x direction, the plates 48 and 50 form the conclusion of the elastic part body 14 _i; 14 ₂ , 14 ₃ , 14 ₄ . The partial bodies 14i, 14 ₂ , 14 ₃ , 14 ₄ are connected to one another via the stop device 16 and the fastening device 12, ie the plates 18, 20 connect the elastic partial bodies 14i, 14 ₂ , 14 ₃ , 14 _{4 to} one another.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the starting buffer 110. In FIG. 6, the stop device 16 with its elastic layer 20 can be seen. The attachment openings 30 and 32 extend through the start-up buffer 110.

FIG. 7 shows a sectional view along the section line VII-VII in FIG. 6. The section line VII-VII initially runs between the partial bodies 14 ₂ and 14 ₃ before it extends into the partial body 14 ₃ (see FIG. 5). This can be seen in particular that the elastic part body 14 ₃ is shown uncut in Figure 7 on the left side, whereas on the right side of the elastic part body 14 _{3 is shown} with its plates 48 and 50 in section.

The plates 48 and 50 of the elastic part body 14 ₃ are connected to the stop plate 18 of the stopper 16 and the mounting plate 28 of the fastening device 12. In the stop plate 18, the openings 52 are formed whose positions are matched to positions of the openings 54 in the plate 48. The plates 18 and 48 may be interconnected via attachment means 58 which extend through the openings 52 and 54. Also in the mounting plate 28 of the fastener 12 openings 56 are formed whose positions are matched to positions of the openings 54 in the plate 50. Also, the plates 28 and 50 can be interconnected via fasteners 58 which extend through the openings 54 and 56. The elastic layer 20 of the stop device 16 extends along the surface of the stop plate 18 facing away from the elastic part body 14 _3. The stop plate 18 is not completely embedded in an elastic material. The stopper plate 18 is first coated with the elastic layer 20 when the

Stop plate 18 via the attachment means 58 with the part bodies, of which only the part body 14 _{3 is} shown in Figure 7, has been connected.

8 shows a sectional view along the section line VIII-VIII in Figure 6. In Figure 8, the partial body 14i, 14 ₂ , 14 ₃ , 14 _{4 are} shown, the plates 48 and 50 are to the stop plate 18 of the stopper 16 and the mounting plate 28th the fastening device 12 create. The elastic partial bodies 14i, 14 ₂ , 14 ₃ , 14 ₄ thus establish a connection between the fastening device 12 and the stop device 16 in the x-direction. Among themselves, the partial body 14i, 14 _2, 14 _3, 14 ₄ through the plates 18 and 28 of the stop means 16 and its mountings ^¬ restriction device 12 are connected.

The elastic part body 14i, 14 ₂ , 14 ₃ , 14 ₄ are connected to the plates 48 and 50 cohesively. Thereafter, the plates 48 and 50 of the elastic part body 14i, 14 ₂ , 14 ₃ , 14 _{4 are} connected to the stop plate 18 of the stopper 16 and the mounting plate 28 of the fastening device 12. At the completion of the assembly of the start-up buffer 110, the stopper plate 18 is coated with the elastic layer 20, whereby the openings 52 and the attachment means 58 are concealed.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a starting buffer 210. The starting buffer 210 has a fastening device 12, an elastic body 14 and a stop device 16. The elastic body 14 extends between the fastening device 12 and the stopper 16.

The stopper 16 is formed by a stop plate 18. The stop ^¬ plate 18 may be a metal plate, which is made for example of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The stop plate 18 is connected to the fastening device 12 side surface facing the elastic body 14 material ^¬ conclusive.

The elastic body 14 has an elastically deformable structure 22, the relative movements between the stopper 16 and the Befestigungsseinrich- tion 12 record. The elastically deformable structure 22 has a plurality of webs 24 and webs 60 with a thickening 62. Recesses 26 are formed in the elastic body 14 between the webs 24, 60. The webs 60 are each arranged in two groups of three GS1 and GS2. The group GS1 comprises the webs 60a, 60b, 60c. The group GS2 comprises the webs 60d, 60e, 60f. The webs 24, 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f and the recesses 26 extend in the x and y directions in the elastic body 14.

The webs 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f have the thickening 62. The thickening 62 is formed in the x-direction in a central region of the webs 60. At their ends 64, the webs 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f have a smaller cross-section than in the region of the thickening 62. The thinner ends 64 of the webs 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f form a joint, so that the webs 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f can be deflected in the region of their ends 64 when loaded as a whole. The thickening 62 of the webs 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f stiffens the central region of the webs 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f so as to buckle the webs 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f in this area. The webs 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f are provided in the z-direction at the end regions of the elastically deformable structure 22 and the approach buffer 210, respectively. In other words, one of the triples GS1 and GS2 is formed on one of the end portions of the start-up buffer 210, respectively. In the z-direction between the groups GS1 and GS2 a plurality of webs 24 are arranged, which have no thickening 62. Between the web 60d and the web 24 at the right end in FIG. 9 (in the z-direction) of the starting buffer 210, a larger recess 66 can be seen.

The fastening device 12 has a fastening plate 28. The elastic body 14 may be materially connected to the mounting plate 28. The startup buffer 10 also has attachment openings 30 and 32 that extend through all parts of the startup buffer 10. The stopper plate 18 has openings 36 which form a portion of the attachment openings 30 and 32.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective sectional view of the starting buffer 210. The section extends through the elastically deformable structure 22. The webs 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f having a thickening 62 are elastic in the z-direction at the end regions deformable structure 22 and the Anfahrpuffers 210 provided. The webs 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f extend over the entire extent of the approach buffer 210 in the y-direction. The elastically deformable structure 22 of the starting buffer 210 has a recess 68. The recess 68 is formed in a central portion of the elastically deformable structure 22. The recess 68 extends in the z-direction between the groups GS1 and GS2.

In addition to the webs 24 and 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f, the elastically deformable structure 22 webs 70 which are formed by recesses 72 in the elastic body 14. The webs 24 and 70 are separated from each other by the recess 68. The recess 68 extends in the y-direction between the webs 24 and 70. The webs 24 and 70 are offset from one another in the z-direction in the elastic body 14 is formed. Due to the offset of the webs 24 and 70 in the z-direction, the larger recess 66 is formed between the web 60d and the web 24, and the larger recess 74 is formed between the web 70 and the web 60c. The webs 24 and 70 are formed shorter than the webs 60 with the thickening 62 due to the recess 68 in the y-direction.

FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the starting buffer 210. In FIG. 11, the stop device 16 with its stop plate 18 can be seen. The stop plate 18 has the openings 36. The attachment openings 30 and 32 extend completely through the start-up buffer 210.

FIG. 12 shows a sectional view along the section line XII-XII in FIG. 11. The section line runs through the recess 68 (see FIG. 10). In the sectional view according to FIG. 11, the recesses 26 and 72 can be seen in the elastic body 14 which form the webs 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f and 70. Furthermore, the larger recess 74 can be seen between the web 60c and the nearest web of the webs 70 in the z-direction.

The webs 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f have the thickening 62 in a central region in the x direction. The webs 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f are respectively arranged in groups GS1 and GS2 of three webs 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d, 60e, 60f. The groups GS1 and GS2 are provided in the z direction at the end portions of the start-up buffer 210 and the elastically deformable structure 22, respectively. Between the two groups of three GS1 and GS2 webs 24 are provided which have no thickening. Since the section line XII-XII extends through the recess 68, the webs 24 are not shown in section in FIG. In the region of the recesses 26, 72, 74 and the recess 68, a layer of the elastic material is retained on the plates 18, 28, so that the recesses 26, 72, 74 and the recess 68 do not extend directly to the plates 18, 28.

In the unloaded state, the webs 24 extend perpendicular to the stop plate 18 and the mounting plate 28. In the unloaded state, each webs 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f may extend to the mounting plate 28 at a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle may not be equal to 90 °. The angles at which the individual webs 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f extend to the mounting plate 28 may differ. In other words, the lands 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f of a group GS1 or GS2 may extend at different angles to the mounting plate 12. As a result, it can be ensured that the elastically deformable structure 22 is returned to its initial position after a deflection, for example due to the impact of a vehicle. With the groups GS1 and GS2, it is thus possible to produce a further increased restoring force, which returns the elastically deformable structure 12 to its starting position, in comparison with webs oriented only at an angle of 90 °.

The attachment openings 30, 32 extend completely through the start-up buffer 10. The mounting holes 30, 32 are composed of the openings 36 of the stop plate 18, a portion of the recess 68 and the openings 38 of the mounting plate 28 together. In the mounting holes 30, 32 mounting bushings 44 are provided. The mounting bushes 44 are supported with their end faces on the mounting plate 28 and at the edge of the openings 38 of the mounting plates 28 from. The fixing bush 44 has a tubular portion and a radially extending portion. In the radially extending portion openings 46 are formed through which a not shown fastening means such as a screw can be performed. The fastener may be supported with its head on the radial portion of the mounting sleeve 44 in order to support the necessary clamping forces for attachment of the approach buffer to a building in the region of the loading dock (not shown).

13 shows a sectional view along the section line XIII-XIII in Figure 11. In Figure 13, the stop plate 18, the elastic body 14 and the Befestigungsplat- te 28 shown. The elastic body 14 extends between the stopper plate 18 and the attachment plate 28. The elastically deformable structure 22 of the elastic body 14 has the recess 68 in its central region. The recess 68 extends between the webs 24 and 70.

FIGS. 14 to 16 show a starting buffer 310, which represents a variant of the starting buffer 210 according to FIGS. 9 to 13. Figure 15 is a sectional view taken along section line XV-XV in Figure 14. Figure 16 is a sectional view taken along section line XVI-XVI in Figure 14. The main difference between the approach buffer 210 of Figures 9 through 13 and the approach buffer 310 of Figures FIGS. 14-16 illustrate the lands 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f that extend at a greater angle to the mounting plate 28.

The webs 60 have the thickening 62. Each of the lands 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f of the two groups GS1 and GS2 extends at a predetermined angle to the stopper plate 28 in the rest state of the start-up buffer 310. The lands 60 of each of the groups GS1 and GS2 extend with one Angle to the stopper plate 28, that increases the distance of the webs 60 a, 60 b, 60 c of the group GS1 and the webs 60 d, 60 e, 60 f of the group GS2 to each other in the x-direction. The webs 60b and 60e may extend substantially perpendicular or at an angle of 90 ° to the stop plate 28. Some of the webs 60a, 60c, 60d and 60f may have an angle to the stopper plate 28 that is not equal to 90 °. By way of example, FIG. 15 shows the angles α, β, γ for the webs 60a, 60c and 60d. The webs 60a, 60b and 60c extend at angles α, β, γ to the mounting plate 28. The same applies to the webs 60d, 60e, 60f, which may extend at the same or similar angles to the mounting plate 28. Those of the webs 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, 60f, which extend at an angle of not equal to 90 ° to the mounting plate 28, can at an angle between 30 ° and 89 ° or between 91 ° and 150 ° to the Extension plate 28 extend. In particular, the angle between 80 ° and 89 ° or between 91 ° and 100 ° to the mounting plate 28 amount. In the resting state of the starting buffer 310, the webs 60a and 60d may be substantially parallel to each other. The same applies to the webs 60b and 60e and the webs 60c and 60f, which also run parallel to each other in the idle state or in the unloaded state. By means of the webs 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d, 60e, 60f of the groups GS1 and GS2, which run partially at an angle not equal to 90 ° to the mounting plate 28, it can be ensured that the elastically deformable structure 22 or the starting buffer 310 to a deflection is reset, for example, due to the impact of a vehicle to its original position. The groups GS1 and GS2 can thus generate a restoring force, which returns the start-up buffer 310 to its original position.

In Figure 16, the stopper plate 18, the elastic body 14 and the attachment plate 28 are shown. The elastic body 14 extends between the stopper plate 18 and the attachment plate 28. The elastically deformable structure 22 of the elastic body 14 has the recess 68 in its central region. The recess 68 extends between the webs 24 and 70. FIG. 16 also shows the recess 26 located in front of the web 24.

The attachment and function of the starting buffer 10, 110, 210, 310 is explained below:

The starting buffers 10, 110, 210, 310 are attached via the fastening device 12 to a building in the region of a loading ramp. For this purpose, screws are introduced as fastening means (not shown) in the mounting holes 30, 32. The screws extend through the opening 46 of the mounting bushes 44 and attach with their head to the radial portion of the mounting bushings 44. About the mounting holes 30, 32, the screws with a

Wrench or hex wrench be tightened over the mounting sockets 44, the necessary clamping forces to secure the Anfahrpuffers 10, 110, 210, 310 at the loading dock to produce.

If a vehicle drives against the starting buffer 10, 110, 210, 310 and comes into contact with the stop device 16, there is a relative movement between the stop device 16 and the fastening device 12 stationarily attached to the building. By means of the stop device 16 with the stop plate 18 abutting portion of the vehicle does not penetrate locally into the starting buffer 10, 110, 210, 310. The stop plate 18 initiates the impact forces or contact forces in the elastic body 14 and distributes the impact forces over all the webs 24, 60, 70 of the elastically deformable structure 22 of the elastic body 14. By contact with the vehicle, the webs 24 in x- Direction elastically deformed, ie the stopper 16 is displaced in the direction of the fastening device 12. By introducing the impact forces or contact forces via the stop plate 18 in the webs 24, 60, 70 of the elastically deformable structure 22nd For example, the starting buffer 10, 110, 210, 310 has a relatively high rigidity in the x-direction, as a result of which the starting buffer 10, 110, 210, 310 can absorb relatively high abutment forces in the x-direction. Also in the y-direction of the approach buffer 10 due to the elastically deformable structure 22 and the stopper 16 has a relatively high rigidity.

In the z direction, the starting buffer 10 is relatively soft due to the deflectable via the stopper 16 webs 14. In the state attached to the building, the z-direction indicated in the drawings corresponds to the vertical direction. If a vehicle is in contact with the starting buffer 10, 110, 210, 310, movements of the vehicle in the z-direction may occur, for example by regulating the height of the loading surface of the vehicle to the level of the loading ramp or by compressing the suspension of the vehicle , The starting buffer 10, 110, 210, 310 may follow such movements in the z-direction with the stop means 16 under elastic deformation of the elastically deformable structure 22 over a predetermined path in the z-direction. The stopper 16 is deflected with elastic deformation of the elastically deformable structure 22 in the z-direction relative to the stationary fastener 12. In this case, the webs 24 of the elastically deformable structure 22 are deflected, wherein they extend in the deflected state obliquely to the fastening device 12 (see Figures 3 and 7). Due to the inclined position of the webs 24, 60, 70, the extension of the approach buffer 10, 110, 210, 310 decreases in the x direction, as a result of which the impact forces acting on the approach buffer 10, 110 in the x direction decrease.

By reducing the extension of the starting buffer 10, 110, 210, 310 in the x direction, the static friction between the elastic layer 20 and the stop plate 18 of the stop device 16 and with the approach buffer 10, 110, 210, 310 in contact Section of the vehicle reduced. Due to the reduced stiction, the elastic layer 20 of the stopper 16 and the portion of the vehicle can slide off each other without damaging the start-up buffer 10, 110, 210, 310. The elastic deformation of the elastically deformable structure 22 may be limited due to the reduction of the extension of the start-up buffer 10, 110, 210, 310 in the x-direction after a predetermined travel in the z-direction. As a result, damage to the starting buffer 10, 110, 210, 310 can be prevented and the service life of the starting buffer 10, 110, 210, 310 can be considerably increased.

Claims

claims

1. start-up buffer (10; 110; 210; 310) for attachment to a building, comprising:

at least one fastening device (12) for fastening the starting buffer (10; 110) to the building,

at least one elastic body (14) connected to the at least one fastening device (12), and

- At least one stop means (16) for transmitting the resulting in a stop of a vehicle impact forces on the elastic body (14),

wherein the at least one elastic body (14) has an elastically deformable structure (22) which is formed such that the stop means (16) is deflectable under elastic deformation of the elastically deformable structure (22) relative to the fastening means (12).

2. starting buffer (10; 110; 210; 310) according to claim 1,

wherein the elastically deformable structure (22) is formed such that the stop means (16) is deflectable under elastic deformation relative to the fastening means in a direction (z) perpendicular to a plane spanned by two directions (x, y) in which the elastic body (14) receives relative movements of the stop means (16) relative to the Befestigungsein direction (12).

3. starting buffer (10; 110; 210; 310) according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein the elastically deformable structure (22) of the elastic body (14) has at least one web (24).

4. starting buffer (10; 110; 210; 310) according to claim 3,

wherein the at least one web (24) is formed by at least one recess (46) in the elastic body (14).

5. starting buffer (10; 110; 210; 310) according to claim 3 or 4,

wherein the at least one web (24) extends perpendicular to the fastening device (12) and the stop device (16).

6. starting buffer (10; 110; 210; 310) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one stop means (16) extends substantially along the entire elastically deformable structure (22).

7. starting buffer (10; 110; 210; 310) according to one of claims 1 to 6,

wherein the at least one stop device (16) has at least one plate-shaped stop element (18).

8. starting buffer (10; 110; 210; 310) according to claim 7,

wherein the at least one stop means (16) comprises an elastic layer (20) extending along the plate-shaped stop member (18).

9. starting buffer (10; 110; 210; 310) according to one of claims 1 to 8,

wherein the fastening device (12) has at least one plate-shaped fastening element (28).

10. The startup buffer (10; 110; 210; 310) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the startup buffer (10; 110; 210; 310) has at least one attachment opening (30, 32) which extends through the at least one stop device (10). 16), the at least one elastic body (14) and the at least one fastening means (12).

11. starting buffer (10; 110; 210; 310) according to one of claims 1 to 10,

wherein the fastening device (12) has at least one fastening bushing (44) which is accommodated in the at least one fastening opening (30, 32).

12. Anfahrpuffer (10; 110; 210; 310) according to one of claims 1 to 11,

wherein the at least one elastic body (14) consists of a plurality of elastic part bodies (14i, 14 ₂ , 14 ₃ , 14 ₄ ) composed.

13. starting buffer (10; 110; 210; 310) according to claim 12,

wherein each elastic part body (14i, 14 ₂ , 14 ₃ , 14 ₄ ) has two plate-shaped elements (48, 50), which serve for connection to the plate-shaped stop element (18) and the plate-shaped fastening element (28).

14. starting buffer (10; 110; 210; 310) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the at least one elastic body (14) is made of rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer or a thermoplastic polyurethane.

15. The starting buffer (10; 110; 210; 310) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the at least one plate-shaped stop element (18) and / or the plate-shaped fastening element (28) is made of metal.

16. Starting buffer (210, 310) according to one of claims 1 to 15,

wherein the at least one elastically deformable structure (22) comprises at least one web (60) having at least one thickening (62).

17. Starting buffer (210, 310) according to claim 16,

wherein the at least one web (60) with at least one thickening (62) is arranged at an end region of the elastically deformable structure (22).

18. Starting buffer (210, 310) according to one of claims 3 to 17,

wherein at least one ridge (24, 60, 70) of said elastically deformable structure (22) extends at a predetermined angle to said at least one fastener (12).

19. start-up buffer (210; 310) according to claim 18,

wherein the predetermined angle in the unloaded state of the starting buffer (210; 310) is not equal to 90 °.

20. Anfahr puff he (210, 310) according to any one of claims 1 to 19,

wherein the elastically deformable structure (22) has at least one recess (68).