ES2382244A1 - Multiposition port and associated procedure at the same (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Multiposition portasoporte and procedure associated with it. Multi-position support carriers comprising at least two front support strips and at least two rear support strips, where the load of the articles can be distributed over at least two load distribution means and where a first and a second load distribution means comprise at least two fitting means allowing the engagement of said load distribution means in said at least two front and rear support strips; and wherein said at least two support strips each comprise at least one groove extending from at least one face of said support strips along the entire thickness of the strip; and wherein also the engagement means engage in said grooves. The support holder also includes assembly and disassembly procedures. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

Multiposition holder and associated procedure

Object of the invention

The present invention has application in the technical sector of transport and exhibition of products, such as plants in gardens and nurseries, and refers to a multi-position holder to support a variable number of shelves at different heights, with optimization of the volume of the spaces destined to the location of products.

More specifically, the object of the invention is a bookcase that allows such placement of a

10 variable number of shelves materialized in supports of various kinds located at a variable distance from each other, quickly and easily, without the supports encountering obstacles inside the shelf structure in order not to reduce space to the products exposed, maintaining the strength of the structure and offering the ability to withstand equal or greater weight to the conventional even in cases where support elements such as shelves of reduced thickness for the products are available, allowing

15 also the folding of its structure, reducing its volume to facilitate transport, and where its preferable handling is done by means of a forklift or similar equipment intended to act on classic pallets.

Background of the invention

Currently one of the undesirable complications in the transport and exhibition sector is the lack of

20 optimization of the space of the structure of the multi-position carrier, the lack of versatility and flexibility in terms of the usual arrangement of shelves, the complications and increases in costs derived from the transport of said carrier and derived from the assembly of the shelves on the structure of the carrier .

In order to solve the problem, two solutions are mainly known, where one of

25 they consist of the use of pre-shaped large cardboard boxes, so that starting from a laminar body they become a suitable container immediately before use, allowing optimal storage due to the consequent reduction in volume, with the inconvenience if they are not very resistant to stacking, and also resulting in their use of practically a single use, so that the cost of the box must be fully incorporated into the transport costs.

30 The other solution consists in the use of wooden cages, which solve the problem described above in terms of increased costs, because said cages have a long service life, and also allow the stacking of said cages but, without However, they generate handling problems and in any case the volume they occupy is the same both in the operating state and in the inoperative state, with the consequent problem that this entails, relative to the volume occupied and the difficulties that appear in

35 its transport.

To solve these drawbacks, the object of the invention described in document ES-2168958-B2 relating to a plant display cage, comprises folding means to facilitate the transport of the cage, although it does not comprise supports or shelves that are part of the own shelf that enable a larger interior space on the shelf for product disposal, with greater reason if they are pots,

40 bottles, tanks or large products, nor does it offer the advantages of versatility and assembly that this configuration entails.

With respect to said arrangement and mounting of the supports materialized in shelves in the structure, metal shelves are known by the state of the art whose extreme vertical uprights comprise a succession of numerous holes in which through different means the shelves are coupled to

45 different heights, although this type of shelves or exhibitors require the presence of two operators to screw each shelf at the ends of the shelf.

Additionally, with respect to the support means of each shelf known by the prior art, the structure itself comprises a series of shelves arranged at a different height on the inside of the vertical uprights that act as the load beam of each shelf, so the thickness of said

50 uprights must be considerable to support the support elements themselves or shelves and therefore their presence and layout must be mandatory, which implies other inconveniences such as a longer assembly time, greater amount of material used and number of elements to be used , as well as the consequent reduction of the space existing in each shelf from end to end of the shelf, since the presence of said shelves hinders the location of products close to said ends.

55 Since these shelves are fixed directly to the vertical uprights, by screwing, to alter the height of a shelf it is necessary to unscrew each shelf on both sides to move it to its new location and proceed again with its screwing, two operators being necessary in order for each one to proceed from a different side at the same time.

As explained above, the inventions hitherto known by the prior art perform the

5 function of the object of the invention, but in an unreliable and not very versatile way because the products or articles fail to adapt in the most optimal way to the space in which they are to be located, and due to the complexity existing during the processes related to the assembly and disassembly of the shelves or some parts of the structure.

Description of the invention

The present invention relates to a multiposition carrier that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks, since it has some supports configured each preferably in at least two load distribution means that have the possibility of being related to each other by at least one support element preferably of reduced thickness, which enable a greater interior space in the multi-position holder for the optimal arrangement of the articles, also offers a high capacity for

15 stacking for the mass transport of the same due to the possibility of folding, a simple, fast assembly and with a single operator, a sensible reduction of the thickness of the support elements used for the products or even their elimination, maintaining the resistance of the structure and offering the capacity to support equal or greater weight, and an optimal degree of protection for the products contained inside.

Specifically, the multiposition holder that the invention proposes comprises at least two slats of

20 front support and at least two rear support slats, preferably consisting of vertical support pillars, where the load of the articles can be distributed on at least two load distribution means to be able to absorb the load of the products, which allow not it is necessary to use at least one support element or even that these are of reduced thickness, but that on said distribution means the load is sufficiently distributed and optimally; and where a first means of distribution

The loading means comprises at least two fitting means that allow said first load distribution means to fit into said at least two front support slats; and where a second load distribution means comprises at least two coupling means that allow said second load distribution means to fit into said at least two rear support slats; and where said at least two support slats each comprise at least one groove that can extend from at least

30 a face of said support slats along the entire thickness of the slat; and where the coupling means can be coupled in said grooves, so that it is easy to make this coupling because it simply consists in performing the action of introducing the support in the grooves.

When the load distribution means are related to at least one support element forming a shelf, the introduction of said means with the support element is carried out as a

35 tray

It is contemplated that the fitting means sprout each of the lateral face of at least one load distribution means, so that the load is absorbed in greater magnitude by said load distribution means fixed to their respective support.

The possibility of at least one distribution means comprising a stop means is contemplated, in order that the optimum placement of the articles placed on the supports is allowed.

The possibility that the first and second load distribution means are related by at least one support element is contemplated, the assembly acting as a shelf to support the products and to achieve an optimal load distribution.

The possibility of each support comprising the at least two, first and second means of load distribution is contemplated.

The possibility of each support element resting on said first and second load distribution means is contemplated.

The possibility is contemplated that at least one distribution means is located under each support near the end of said support, and where said distribution means has fitting means.

50 The possibility is contemplated that each support element rests on the distribution means, which, at least one, is located at one end of said support elements, so as to cover the entire possible surface.

The possibility is contemplated that the carrier also includes at least two reinforcing slats, so that the structure has structural stability and at the same time the maximum optimized space is available.

The possibility is contemplated that the carrier also includes folding means that allow the folding of the carrier, so that its transport is simple and the costs are reduced due to the possibility of increasing the transport capacity.

The possibility that the carrier also has a transportable base that allows its transport is contemplated, so that the carrier is attachable to the transport equipment type pallet truck, bull, etc.

The possibility of the fitting means being screws is contemplated.

The possibility of at least two reinforcing slats forming at least one cross of San Andrés is contemplated.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a method of mounting the multiposition carrier 10 by which a plurality of supports can be attached to the structure of the carrier in different positions, comprising the steps of:

(i) support holder deployment from the folded position;

(ii) positioning and inserting the engaging means present in a load distribution means in grooves of at least two preferably rear support slats and the engaging means of the other means of

15 load distribution in two preferably front support slats, where said distribution means which can be related by at least one support element can be positioned in this case between the slats in a similar movement to that used to place a tray in a tray holder, making a simple movement from outside to inside with the support in a horizontal position;

(iii) tighten the fitting means.

20 The possibility is contemplated that in the case where the load distribution means are not related by said at least one support element, the fitting means are introduced individually into the grooves present in the support slats in a random order.

25 The possibility that the disassembly procedure includes the steps of:

(i) de-tighten the fitting means;

(ii) disengage the fitting means present in each load distribution means of the grooves of at least two front support slats and two rear support slats;

(iii) fold the carrier from the deployed position.

Thus, according to the described invention, the system proposed by the invention constitutes an advance in the shelves and exhibitors used up to now, and solves in a fully satisfactory manner the problems previously set forth, in the line of replacing the use of shelves of large volume not optimized, which is done in a simple way, with the consequent improvement of transport operations and

35 storage and with the consequent reduction of costs by the optimization and efficiency of the process, all this through a simple design, and that does not require difficulty in its use nor the skill of a trained operator.

Description of the drawings

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the features of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical realization thereof, a set of drawings in the accompanying part of said description is attached where for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

45 Figure 1.- Shows a front view of the multi-position holder with all the elements already mounted.

Figure 2.- Shows a detailed view of the fit of a support on the support slats, where the support elements mounted on a distribution means can be seen.

50 Figure 3.- Shows a detailed view of the fit of a support on the support slats, where the support elements mounted on the distribution means close to the opposite end of the support can be seen.

Figure 4.- Shows a front view of an unmounted support on the structure of the multi-position holder.

Figure 5.- Shows a detailed view of the back of a support where a fitting means can be clearly seen.

Figure 6.- Shows a detailed view of the groove fitting.

Figure 7.- Shows a detailed view of the folding means.

5 Figure 8.- Shows a view of the assembly process where you can see the work of the operator. Figure 9.- Shows a view of the assembly process where you can see the fit of the support on the support slats.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

10 In view of the figures outlined, it can be observed that in one of the possible embodiments of the invention, the multi-position holder that the invention proposes is preferably an display rack, and is preferably made of wood, where the structure thereof comprises slats of support for

(1) which are preferably vertical uprights arranged two to two so that each pair constitutes

15 a side of the carrier, and where said support slats (1) are held together by reinforcing slats (9), which are preferably horizontal side uprights and a pair of crossed uprights in a San Andres cross arrangement to maintain and increase its stability as can be seen in view of Figure 1, where said cross is preferably perforated by a succession of holes that allow its adaptation to the back of the supports (3), being able to be suitable at any height in which be

20 find said supports (3) arranged.

The structure (2) is preferably supported on a base (11) that is preferably a pallet such as those used for transporting packages in warehouses, and that can be managed by using standardized equipment, such as can be manual or electric pallet trucks, wheelbarrows

25 bull, etc., as can be seen in figures 1 and 7.

The invention preferably presents a plurality of supports (3) that vary in number, each comprising its own load distribution means (4), which are preferably load beams, as well as stop means (7) for the support elements (8) of the products themselves located on the support (3), of

30 so that each support (3) is formed by a first load distribution means (4) preferably located at a front end and in line with the engaging means (5) and a second distribution means (4) located next to its opposite end also in line with its corresponding fitting means (5), where said distribution means (4) are related to each other by, preferably two uprights, as can be seen in figures 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Each of the distribution means (4) is preferably formed by a profile in the form of "L", where a section of said "L" is intended to perform the functions of a stop element (7) for the support elements (8), and the other section performs the functions of the distribution medium (4), as can be seen in Figures 5 and 8.

40 Said geometry and the vertical arrangement of the “L” enables each support (3) to have intrinsically its own means of distribution (4) of the loads without requiring load beams external to said supports (3) where to place them, in replacement of conventional shelves that internally obstruct the cabin for exhibition, gaining interior space in it and allowing the provision of elements of

45 support (8) thicker than the conventional one since all the weight is not distributed in said elements.

The corresponding distribution means (4) arranged at the front end of the corresponding support element (8) comprises, in the lower sections of their lateral faces, fitting means (5), which are

50 preferably screws or pins, which are attached to their respective uprights arranged in the frontal plane of the structure (2), so that these uprights comprise a succession of grooves (6) that are preferably openwork holes made from their inner faces to their external faces that enable the insertion of each shelf from the outside of the shelf and its coupling to the vertical uprights described, as can be seen in figures 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9.

The structure (2) comprises folding means (10) that are preferably located at the rear lower and upper outer ends of said structure (2), and are preferably plates or hinges, as can be seen in Figure 7, with the purpose of the folding of the holder is preferably done by folding the structural sides on the back of the structure (2) of the

60 holders.

The assembly process is preferably carried out in the stages of locating each support (3) or shelf in the

interior space that delimits the structure (2) of the holder, position and insert the fitting means (5) that are already arranged in the distribution means (4) of load transversely in the drafts according to the height of interest of those present in the front ends of each vertical upright, screw or tighten the fitting means (5) from the outer faces of each upright. 5

Claims (10)

1.-Multiposition support holders comprising at least two front support strips (1) and at least two rear support strips (1), characterized in that the load of the items can be distributed over the 5 minus two load distribution means (4) and why: - a first load distribution means (4) comprises at least two coupling means (5) that allow said load distribution means (4) to fit in said at least two, front support strips (1) and because: - a second load distribution means (4) comprises at least two fitting means (5) that allow the 10 fitting said load distribution means (4) into said at least two rear support strips (1), and by which: - said at least two support strips (1) each comprise at least one slot (6) that can extend from at least one face of said support slats (1) along the entire thickness of the slat; and because the fitting means (5) can be coupled in said grooves (6). 15 2.-Multi-position holder, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fitting means (5) sprout each of the side face of at least one load distribution means (4). 3. Multi-position carrier, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one distribution means (4) comprises a stop means (7). 4. Multi-position carrier, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second load distribution means (4) are related by at least one support element (8). 5. Multi-position carrier, according to claim 4, characterized in that each support (3) comprises the at least two, load distribution means (4). 6. Multi-position carrier, according to any of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that each support element (8) rests on at least one load distribution means (4). 7. Multi-position carrier, according to any of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that at least one distribution means (4) is located under each support (3) near the end of said support, and where said means of distribution has means of lace (5). 8. Multi-position carrier, according to any of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that each support element (8) rests on the distribution means (4), which, at least one, is located in a end of said support element (8). 9. Multiposition holder, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two reinforcing slats (9). 10. Multi-position holder, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises folding means (10) that allow folding of the holder. 11. Multi-position carrier, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a transportable base (11) that allows its transport. 12. Multi-position holder, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitting means (5) are screws. 13. Multi-position holder, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two reinforcing slats (9) form at least one cross of San Andrés. 55 14.-Assembly procedure of the multi-position holder, by means of which a plurality of supports (3) can be attached to the structure of the holder in different positions, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: (i) support holder deployment from the folded position; (ii) position and insert fitting means (5) present in two load distribution means (4) in 60 slots (6) of at least two rear support strips (1) and at least two support slats (1 ) front; (iii) tighten the fitting means (5). 15.-Disassembly procedure of the multiposition carrier according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: (i) de-tightening the fitting means (5); (ii) disengage each fitting means (5) present in each load distribution means (4) from the grooves (6) 5 of at least two front support strips (1) and two rear support strips (1); (iii) fold the carrier from the deployed position. SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 201230245 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 02.17.2012 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: A47B47 / 04 (2006.01) A47B57 / 44 (2006.01) RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

56 Documents cited Claims Affected

X

EP 0357817 B1 (LEHNERT & CO) 23.12.1992, column 12, line 51 - column 14, line 54; Figures 1-3. 1.3-8

Y

2.9-15

Y

GB 1187039 A (JONES DAVID DENISON; JONES ALAN THOMAS BEYNON) 08.04.1970, page 2, line 19 - page 5, line 1 - page 4, line 50; Figure 1. 2,12,14,15

Y

EN 2168958 A1 (SANTIAGO GOMEZ DIEZ; BERNARDO GOMEZ DIEZ) 16.06.2002, column 2, line 62 - column 4, line 44; figures. 9-11.13

TO

US 2007125737 A1 (SFPD INC) 07.06.2007, the whole document. 1-15

TO

FR 2515494 A1 (DECODIS SARL) 06.05.1983, the whole document. 1-15

 TO

FR 2856906 A1 (SARL LECOINDRE) 07.01.2005, the whole document. 1-15

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 23.05.2012

Examiner F. J. Riesco Ruiz Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 201230245 Minimum documentation sought (classification system followed by classification symbols) A47B Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC, WPI State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201230245 Date of Written Opinion: 23.05.2012 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims 2,3,9-15 Claims 1,4-8 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 1-15 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201230245 1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

EP 0357817 B1 (LEHNERT & CO) 23.12.1992

D02

GB 1187039 A (JONES DAVID DENISON; JONES ALAN THOMAS BEYNON) 08.04.1970

D03

EN 2168958 A1 (SANTIAGO GOMEZ DIEZ; BERNARDO GOMEZ DIEZ) 06/16/2002

2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement The object of the invention according to independent claim 1 is a multi-position support holder comprising two front and two rear support slats, in which the load of the articles can be distributed over two load distribution means. A first load distribution means comprises two fitting means that allow it to fit in the two front support slats, and the second load distribution means comprises two fitting means that allow it to fit in the two rear support slats. The support slats each comprise a groove that extends along the entire thickness of the slat, the engagement means engaging in said grooves. It is also the object of the invention, according to independent claim 14, a method of mounting a multi-position holder, by means of which a plurality of supports can be attached to the structure of the holder in different positions, comprising the following steps: i) deployment of the carrier holder; ii) positioning and introducing anchoring means present in two load distribution means in the grooves of two rear support slats and two front support slats; and, iii) tighten the anchoring means. Document D1 discloses a multi-position carrier holder comprising two front and two rear support slats, in which the load of the articles can be distributed on two means of load distribution. A first load distribution means comprises two fitting means that allow it to fit in the two front support slats, and the second load distribution means comprises two fitting means that allow it to fit in the two rear support slats. These fitting means consist of the front side of the load distribution means themselves. The support slats each comprise a groove that extends along the entire thickness of the slat, the engagement means engaging in said grooves. The load distribution means are related by support elements, configure the support, and are located under it, close to the ends. In the procedure of mounting the carrier, the anchoring means present in the load distribution means are positioned and introduced in the grooves of two rear support slats and two front support slats; and then they are fixed in position by transverse screws (see column 12, line 51 column 14, line 54; figures 1-3). Therefore, the invention defined in claims 1, 4-8 lacks novelty based on what is disclosed in document D1 (Art. 6 LP). With respect to dependent claim 3, having a stop means is considered common knowledge in the state of the art, which does not imply an inventive activity. In relation to independent claim 14, the difference between D1 and the technical matter of said claim is that the anchoring means can be tightened. The technical problem that therefore underlies the present application can be established as the provision of a mechanism to ensure the attachment of anchoring means and slats. This problem and its solution are already included in document D2, which discloses a multi-position holder in which the different supports present, sprouting from the lateral faces, threaded ends that, after passing through the groove of the slats, are tightened and adjust in position by a nut. In the disassembly procedure, these anchoring means loosen, to be subsequently removed. (see page 2, line 19 page 5, line 1 page 4, line 50; figure 1). It would be obvious to one skilled in the art to incorporate these threaded ends as fitting means disclosed in document D2, to the load distribution means described in document D1, resulting in the technical object set forth in claims 2.12 , 14 and 15 of the application. Therefore, claims 2,12,14,15 lack inventive activity in relation to what is disclosed in documents D1 and D2 (Art. 8 LP). On the other hand, document D3 discloses a multiposition carrier that has reinforcing slats, folding means of the carrier and transportable base for it. It also has oblique reinforcing slats, the possibility of having them in a cross being evident and known (see column 2, line 62 column 4, line 44; figures). For an expert in the field it would be obvious the incorporation of these elements into the holder included in document D1, considered the closest state of the art. Therefore, dependent claims 9 to 11 and 13 lack inventive activity in relation to what is disclosed in documents D1 and D3 (Art. 8 LP). State of the Art Report Page 4/4