ES2329306T3 - ENVIRONMENTAL LOCK DEVICE IN THE ERECT POSITION OF AN AMOUNT AND CONTAINER BEHAVIORING SUCH DEVICES. - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has complementary units (2, 2`) integrated to a post and a base of the container respectively, and forming ratchet/pawl mechanism. The units have two teeth or notches cooperating by mutual engagement to block or lock a post (3) of a container in two lockable or blockable positions, where one position corresponds to a straightened position and another position corresponds to a position closer to the straightened position and shifted in direction of a folded position of the post.

Description

Removable locking device in position erect of a stile and container behaving such dispositives.

The present invention refers to the scope of storage and conditioning equipment, in particular to containers for transport and grouped handling of products, components or assemblies intended for manufacturing of machines or vehicles, especially in chains of manufacturing.

The object of the invention is a device for blocking an amount of the indicated containers, as well as a container in which the uprights (which hold the side walls) are equipped with those expressed removable locking devices in the erect position or raised.

The common point between the different versions of containers referred to below are in being able to be folded in a vacuum, to limit its volume.

To the indicated effect, the expressed containers they have folding uprights that can usually tilt between an erect or raised position, in which they serve as support to the side walls limiting the useful interior volume of the container, and a stowed position, of non-use and of storage, particularly in view of its return transport empty

As an example, some are already known containers of this type through the following documents: FR-A-2 732 668, EP-A-1 201 549 and the request for European patent number 05360041.7 of October 17, 2005.

These containers of known type behave in particular, at the level of each of its uprights, a device of removable lock in the erect position of the corresponding amount folding or folding. The uprights usually have a flat base and a square or rectangular contour and the container is it is provided with four uprights mounted in a tilting manner to through its lower extremities to the base of the set, each of them being located at the level of one of the vertices of this base. These uprights can be moved by tilting through their respective lower limbs with respect to that expressed base, each of them at the level of one of the vertices of this last. The amounts in question can move by tilting between an erect position in which they are sensibly located orthogonally with respect to the base plane and a position folded or folded along one of the side edges of the base, in which they are inclined towards the base or they are arranged parallel to it, resting eventually  on bliss based on its free limb. The device of blocking to which reference has been made is constituted by two complementary means that cooperate by mutual fit for Automatically lock or snag the upright they are associated, in the erect position of the latter, being one of said supportive means of the corresponding amount, while the other medium is solidarity with the base, and the locking system by an action performed on at least one of the indicated means.

In certain applications, these devices known type lock reveal its limits, and that as a consequence of the existence of a single possibility of interconnection or mutual engagement of the two means complementary and, consequently, of a single position of hooked.

It is therefore necessary to locate the amount of to be treated exactly in its crimping position to be able to get the blocking effect, which can be annoying, in case of frequent repetition and / or deformation of the amount and / or of the basis in question.

In addition, all the efforts that tend to push the uprights out of their locked position have if absorbed at the level of a single contact surface between the two complementary means. Consequently, you are contact surfaces must be sized properly in view of the indicated stress absorption, which determines important maneuvers both when blocking and unlock

In short, the presence of a single surface of interconnection and mutual crimping necessarily leads to the keep a slack in the locked position, especially after a certain period of use of the container, which can make the stacking of said Containers are delicate and risky.

The present invention especially has object to overcome at least some of the indicated inconveniences.

To the indicated effect, the present invention has as the main object a removable locking device in the raised position of a retractable or retractable upright of a container, such as the one indicated above, said device being characterized because each of the means complementary behaves at least two teeth or notches that provided through your cooperation, depending on your mutual coupling configuration, at least two positions of latching or locking in different tilting positions for  the corresponding amount, one of which corresponds to its erect position while the other or the other corresponds to a or at positions close to said erect position, but it is found or are displaced in the direction of the stowed position of said amount.

       \ newpage
    

The invention will be more easily understood, thanks to the description given below, which refers to preferred embodiments, which are given to title of non-limiting examples, and which are explained by reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a partial view in perspective of a stile of a container, in a stowed position, showing the two complementary means of the locking device associated to said amount;

- Figure 2 is a partial view in perspective of the same amount represented in figure 1, being this amount located in an almost raised position and being the two complementary means in the position of cooperating partially;

- Figure 3 is a partial view in perspective of the same amount represented in figures 1 and 2, being this upright in its raised or erect position in cooperation with the complete mutual engagement of the two media complementary;

- Figure 4 is a side elevation view of a locking device in the upright position of the stud, of according to an embodiment variant of the invention, and

- Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the set (upright / crimping device / container foot) represented in figure 3.

In Figures 1 to 4 a removable locking device 1 in the erect position of a 3 folding or folding top, which is part of a container 4 with a base 5 of flat structure and with a square contour or rectangular.

This container 4 is provided with four uprights 3 mounted on the indicated base 5 in a tilting manner through their respective lower extremities, being located each of them in one of the vertices of said base, and being able to move by tilting between an erect position (figures 3 and 4) in which said uprights are substantially positioned in direction perpendicular to the base plane and a retracted position or folded along one of the side edges of the base, in which these uprights are tilted in the direction of the base or are arranged parallel to it, resting eventually on said base through its free limb (figure 1).

This locking device 1 is found constituted by two complementary means 2 and 2 'that cooperate by mutual fit to automatically lock or immobilize the amount  3 to which they are associated, when it is located in The raised position. One of the indicated means 2, 2 'is solidarity of said amount 3 and the other of said means is Solidarity of the base 5, being able to release the lock or snag in the erect position by acting on one of the referred two means 2 and 2 '.

According to the invention, each of the complementary means 2, 2 'involves at least two teeth or notches 6, 6 'that through your cooperation, depending on your mutual crimp configuration, provide at least two different crimp or tilt lock positions for the corresponding amount 3, one of which corresponds to its position raised as long as the other or the other corresponds to one or a few positions close to this raised position, but it are displaced towards the retracted position of said upright 3.

Thus, the clamping forces of the post 3 of concerned are distributed over at least two surfaces of contact between teeth or notches 6 and 6 ', the latter being able to have smaller dimensions (consequently a more massive and resistant structure) while guaranteeing a secure hold and no clearances in the locked state.

In addition, the presence in each of the media 2, 2 'of at least two, preferably several, positions of intermediate blocking. These intermediate security positions they may be temporarily occupied by the amount 3 concerned, for example, after a first operation or a first lifting movement, being able to move supplementary tilt end position further said upright 3 in its erect position, which also remains locked (normal position of use in view of stacking)

According to a first feature of the invention, one of the two complementary means 2, 2 'arranged to cooperate with each other, it involves a piece 7 that can move with respect to its support body 3 or 5 and presents the teeth or notches 6, 6 ', this moving part 7 being elastically driven towards a position where your teeth or notches 6, 6 'pass automatically to engage or prey with teeth or notches 6, 6 'of the other means 2, 2' when the amount 3 of which try tilt reaches the vicinity of your position erect, increasing the number of teeth or notches that are found mutually engaged as the said amount 3 is approach the indicated erect position, and reaching a maximum in This last position.

Preferably, device 1 it involves a fixed medium and a mobile medium (relatively with respect to the corresponding support) and these complementary means that cooperate mutually 2 and 2 'together constitute a mechanism of hook / ratchet, the middle 2 or 2 'constituting a ratchet that presents a moving part 7 with respect to its support and presenting at least two teeth or notches 6 or 6 '. These two series of teeth or notches 6 and 6 'can move relatively one with respect to the other, with definition of a plurality of positions of crimping defined by elastic gearing, becoming geared mutually an increasing number of teeth or notches as the corresponding amount 3 approximates its raised position.

According to a preferred form of practical realization, which emerges from the different figures of the attached drawings, at least one of the two complementary means 2 and 2 'cooperators have a toothed or notched piece 7. In addition, the teeth or notches 6, 6 'of each of the two 2, 2 'cooperating means preferably have triangular shapes that define, on the one hand, at least two flanks inclined 8 opposites destined to happen to lean against respective inclined flanks of the teeth or notches 6, 6 'of the other means 2, 2 ', and, on the other hand, at least two flanks 8' noticeably straight or vertical intended to be supported against the straight or vertical flanks 8 'corresponding to the teeth or notches 6, 6 'of the other means 2 or 2', and this when expressed complementary means 2 and 2 'are mutually cooperating with reciprocal engagement in a crimping position under a elastic impulse Being all the flanks 8, 8 'of the teeth or notches 6, 6 'of each of the means 2 and 2' intimately leaning against the flanks 8, 8 'of the teeth or notches 8, 8' of the other means 2 or 2 'when the corresponding amount 3 occupies its erect position.

According to a first variant of embodiment of the invention, and as shown in Figure 4 of the attached drawings, the means 2 'integral with the stile 3 implies a moving part that can move in longitudinal direction X with regarding this amount 3, which presents, at its tip directed towards the other means 2 in the raised position of said upright 3, several teeth 6 'and which is elastically driven towards this other medium 2, the said second medium 2 being found solidarity in a fixed way or directly formed on a extension or a vertical extension 9 of one of the vertices of the base 5, with teeth 6 that are directed towards the second means 2 'solidarity of the amount in question in position erect and presenting an inverted disposition with respect to that of the teeth 6 'of the moving part 7 of the means 2' integral with the amount 3.

According to a second variant of embodiment of the invention, which has been represented in the figures 1 to 3 of the attached drawings, the medium 2 solidarity of the base 5 It includes a piece 7 that is assembled with the possibility of move over an extension or a vertical extension 9 of a vertex of said base 5, which has several teeth 6 in its limb directed towards the other cooperating means 2 'solidarity of the corresponding amount 3, in the raised or erect position of the latter, and which is elastically driven in the direction towards this medium 2, the other cooperating medium 2 being in solidarity  in a fixed way or directly formed on the corresponding amount 3, with its teeth 6 'directed towards the moving part 7 of the medium 2 integral with the base 5 in the position erect upright 3 and presenting an inverted position with with respect to that of the teeth 6 of the said moving part 7.

Extension 9 may, for example, have been obtained by trimmed and folded and may have been in solidarity with The base by welding.

In an advantageous way, the extension or extension 9 of base 5 that involves one 2 of the two means complementary cooperating 2, 2 'is presented in the form of a portion of a U section profile to which the corresponding upright 3 is fixed by means of a tilting fixing 10, the opposite wings 9 ', 9' 'of the section profile being directed at U 9 in parallel with respect to one of the sides of the base and the indicated medium 2 being in solidarity or directly formed on the lower wing 9 '' of said portion 9 of the profile of U section.

In particular, and as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, the teeth 6 of the means 2 integral with the base 5 can have been directly trimmed over the upper edge of the wing 9 '' bottom of portion 9 of the U section profile constituting an extension or extension of the base 5.

Depending on the layout of the moving part 7, the movements of the latter will be done by hand (lifting) or with the foot (support).

For this purpose, the moving part 7 is provided with a drag organ 11 that can be operated by a operator, for example, with his foot or hand, allowing determine the displacement of this piece 7 against resistance of the elastic force acting on it, particularly for remove it from a crimping position and disengage its teeth 6, 6 'of teeth 6', 6 of the cooperating complementary means 2, 2 ' fixed, and especially to authorize the corresponding amount 3 to Tilt in the direction of its stowed position.

According to an advantageous way of embodiment of the invention, the means 2 or 2 'that the piece entails mobile 7 consists of a sleeve constituted by retracted or fixed to level of stud 3 or base 5, on which it is mounted sliding an elongated body 7 'finished in a serrated head 7``, which together forms the expressed moving part 7, while a spring-type elastic member 13 constantly drives the expressed body 7 'towards an extreme sliding position.

As schematically shown in Figure 4, the elongated body 7 'profiled and sliding can, for example, it involves a recess 14, elongated in the direction of sliding, on which a compression spring is mounted 13 which is supported against a stop 15 integral with the sleeve 12.

       \ newpage
    

As evidenced by a comparison between figures 1 to 3, on the one hand, and figure 4, on the other, the teeth or notches 6, 6 'can be arranged on a rectilinear alignment (figures 1 to 3) or on a surface curved (figure 4).

The present invention also has object a container 4 with a base 5, in the form of a pallet and with some 3 folding or folding uprights, possibly in conjunction with portions of the side walls of said container, which It includes four uprights located level and extending from of the four vertices, corners or angles of the referred base.

The expressed container 4 is characterized in that each of the uprights 3 is associated with a device of lock 1 as described above and as has been represented in the attached figures.

Base 5 will advantageously present, at the level of its vertices and in combination with the extensions 9 that serve as elements for tilting mounting of the folding uprights 3, projections 16 that allow stacking by overlapping of two containers 4 both in its use configuration (with the uprights) as in your vacuum configuration (with the stiffened or folded uprights).

Stacking with two container lace 4 with its raised uprights it is obtained by lace of the projections 16 in corresponding 16 'housings provided at the level of the upper extremities free of the uprights 3.

Stacking with two immobilization 4 containers with their piles folded or folded (such as shown in figure 1) can be made by fitting the protrusions 16 in the open upper extremity of the U-profile 9.

Feet of this type also appear described and represented in the documents evoked in the introduction of the present specification.

As understood, the invention is not found. limited to the embodiments described and represented in The attached drawings. It is possible to introduce modifications, especially from the point of view of the constitution of different elements or by substituting equivalents technicians, without meaning to depart from the scope of protection of the invention.

       \ vskip1.000000 \ baselineskip
    

References cited in the description

This list of references cited by the applicant is directed exclusively to help the reader and not form part of the European patent document. Even if in conception  maximum care has been observed, errors cannot be excluded or omissions and the OEB declines any responsibility in this sense.

Patent documents cited in the description

FR 2732668 A [0005]

EP 05360041 A [0005]

EP 1201549 A [0005]

Claims (11)

1. Removable locking device in the upright position of a retractable or retractable upright, which is part of a container with a flat structure base and with a square or rectangular contour, this container being provided with four uprights (3) fixed so tilting through its respective lower extremities than the indicated base (5), each of them at the level of one of the vertices of the latter, and being able to move by tilting between an erect position in which the uprights are significantly positioned perpendicularly with with respect to the plane of the base and a folded or folded position along one of the lateral edges of the base, in which said uprights are inclined in the direction towards the base or are arranged parallel to it, eventually resting on said base through its free end, said locking device (1) being constituted by two complementary means s (2, 2 ') arranged to cooperate by mutual engagement to automatically block or engage the upright to which it is associated, in the raised position of this upright, one of said means being integral with the upright while the other of said means is solidary of the base, the said locking or crimping system being able to be released through an action performed on at least one of the indicated means, whose device (1) is characterized in that each of the complementary means (2, 2 ') it has at least two teeth or notches (6, 6') that provide, by cooperation depending on their mutual fit configuration, at least two locking or tilting positions for the corresponding amount (3), one of the which corresponds to their erect position while the others correspond to one or some positions close to the indicated erect position, but are displaced towards the position folded from the expressed amount (3). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the two complementary means (2, 2 ') that cooperate mutually comprises a piece (7) that can move with respect to its support body (3 or 5) and has the teeth or notches (6, 6 '), this moving part (7) being elastically driven towards a position in which its teeth or notches (6, 6') automatically start to engage or engage with the teeth or notches (6, 6 ') of the other means (2', 2) when the corresponding amount (3) reaches by tilting the proximities of its erect position, increasing the number of teeth or notches (6 or 6 ') mutually engaged as the said amount (3) approaches the indicated erect position, reaching a maximum in this last position. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the two mutually cooperating complementary means (2 and 2 ') together form a ratchet type mechanism, in which the means (2 or 2') constituting the ratchet It has a piece (7) that can move with respect to its support and which has at least two teeth or notches (6 or 6 ') at the level of its limb directed towards the other medium (2 or 2') and the latter complementary means it is also provided with at least two teeth or notches (6 or 6 '), these two series of teeth or notches (6 and 6') being able to parade relatively with respect to each other, with definition of a plurality of crimping positions by elastic gearing, an increasing number of teeth or notches (6, 6 ') can be engaged as the corresponding amount (3) approaches its erect position. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that one at least of the two complementary cooperating means (2 and 2 ') comprises a moving part (7) provided with teeth or notches and because the teeth or notches (6 , 6 ') of each of the two mutually cooperating means (2 and 2') have triangular shapes that define, on the one hand, at least two inclined flanks (8) intended to be supported against the inclined flanks (8) respectively opposite of the teeth or notches (6, 6 ') of the other medium (2 or 2') and, on the other hand, at least two substantially straight or vertical flanks (8 ') intended to be supported against the straight or vertical flanks ( 8 ') respectively opposite of the teeth or notches (6, 6') of the other means (2 or 2 '), and so that when said complementary means (2 and 2') are cooperating mutually with reciprocal gear in a snapping position under elastic impulse, the whole of the flanks (8, 8 ') of the teeth or notches (6, 6') of each of the means (2, 2 ') being intimately supported against the flanks (8, 8') of the other means (2 or 2 ') in the raised position of the corresponding amount (3). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cooperating means (2 ') integral with the upright (3) comprises a piece (7) that can move in the longitudinal direction (X) with respect to this upright (3 ), which has, at its tip directed towards the other means (2) in the erect position of the expressed upright (3), several teeth (6 ') and is elastically driven towards the other means (2) and because the The second medium (2) is fixedly applied or is directly formed on a vertical extension or extension (9) of a vertex of the base (5), with teeth (6) that are directed towards the middle ( 2 ') solidarity of the corresponding upright (3) in raised position and presenting an inverted position with respect to that of the teeth (6') provided in the moving part (7) of the means (2 ') integral of the upright (3). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the means (2) integral with the base (5) comprise a piece (7) that can move over an extension or a vertical extension (9) of a vertex of the indicated base (5), which has several teeth (6) at its end directed towards the other cooperating means (2 ') integral with the corresponding amount (3), in the raised position of the latter, and which is elastically driven towards this means (2) and because this other cooperating means (2 ') is fixedly applied or is directly formed on the corresponding amount (3), with teeth (6') directed towards the moving part (7) of the means (2) integral with the base (5) in the upright position of the upright (3) and presenting an inverted arrangement with respect to that of the teeth (6) of said movable part (7). Device according to any one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the extension or extension (9) of the base (5) comprising one (2) of the two complementary means arranged to cooperate (2 and 2 ') is presented in the form of a portion of the U-section profile to which the corresponding amount (3) is held through a tilting fastener (10), the opposite wings (9 ', 9'') of the section profile being in U (9) directed or extending parallel to one of the sides of the base (5) and said means being applied (2) or having been directly formed on the inner wing (9 '') of the said portion (9) of the U section profile. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the teeth (6) of the means (2) integral with the base (5) are cut out on the upper edge of the inner wing (9 '') of the portion (9) of the profile U-section constituting an extension or extension of the base (5). 9. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the moving part (7) is provided with a driving element (11) that can be operated by an operator, for example, with his foot or his hand, and which allows to determine the displacement of the said piece (7) against the resistance of the elastic force acting on it, in particular to extract it from a crimping position and disengage its teeth (6, 6 ') from the teeth (6' , 6) of the complementary fixed cooperating means (2, 2 ') and, especially, to allow the corresponding amount (3) to swing towards its retracted position. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the means (2 or 2 ') that the moving part (7) comprises consists of a sleeve, consisting of a retracted or an independent part duly fixed at the level of the upright (3) or base (5), in which it is mounted with the possibility of sliding an elongated body (7 ') terminated in a toothed head (7'') that together constitutes the indicated moving part (7) , said body (7 ') being constantly driven by a spring-like elastic member (13) towards an extreme sliding position. 11. Container with a base in the form of a pallet and with folding or folding uprights, possibly in a joint manner with portions of side walls of said container, this container comprising four uprights located at the same level, which extend from the four corners or vertices of said base, characterized in that each of the said uprights is associated with a locking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.