ES2437215A1 - Cargo loading and unloading device and loading and unloading dock comprising the loading and unloading device (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for loading and unloading goods and loading and unloading dock that includes the loading and unloading device. Device for loading and unloading goods with a conveyor device (1) comprising A frame (2) positionable on a surface (3a) of a loading and unloading spring (3) elevated; A telescopic conveyor belt (4) mounted on the frame (2); A longitudinal drive mechanism mounted on the frame (2) and connected to the conveyor belt (4) to arrange the conveyor belt (4) between a retracted position and an extended position; A loading platform (7) located below the frame (2) and comprising a top work surface; A lifting mechanism (5) located below the loading platform (7), for tilting the front part (2b) of the frame between an elevated position and a lowered position, and comprising lifting arms (5a) on which the frame (2) when its front part (2b) tilts and which are retracted below the working surface of the loading platform (7), at least in a resting position of the loading platform (7). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

Loading and unloading device for goods and loading and unloading dock comprising the loading and unloading device.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention falls within the technical field of loading and unloading systems for loading and unloading docks of transport vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For the loading and unloading of goods today it is usual to use transport devices comprising telescopic conveyor belts that can be installed on loading and unloading docks or on the ground, which greatly facilitates the work to be done when goods must be loaded into the surface of transport of a vehicle or unload merchandise of such vehicle.

Conveyors typically comprise a positionable frame on a surface of a high loading and unloading dock, with a rear and a front part and a telescopic conveyor belt mounted on the frame. The telescopic conveyor usually has a stationary part that constitutes the frame or base and at least one movable part mounted on telescopically extendable sections of the frame. Although this type of belt is called telescopic conveyor belts, actually the stationary or base part and the movable part or parts of the telescopically extendable stretches of the frame are subunits composed of a single conveyor belt, This telescopic and extendable conveyor does so between a first position in which it is retracted in the frame, and an extended position in which it protrudes from the front part of the frame, the extension movement of the different sections being synchronized. These conveyor devices usually comprise a drive mechanism mounted on the frame and connected to the conveyor belt to arrange the conveyor between said retracted position and said extended position, as well as a lifting mechanism, to move the front part of the frame vertically with respect to the part rear of it. Devices of this type are, for example, those manufactured by the signatures CALJAN (see http://www.caljan.com/Caljan_Products/rails_carriage.html) and NEWLAND (see, for example, http: //www.newland-conveyors .com / newlandvideo / mtc_video.html and

http://www.newland-conveyors.com/newlandvideo/autoloader_video.html).

There are in the state of the art devices for raising or lowering the ends of the frame with which various loading or collection heights of the goods inside the trucks are achieved, since with this variation of frame height an elevation is achieved or lowering the end of the telescopic conveyor and more specifically the end where the goods end or are collected from the truck's box.

It is known in the state of the art, telescopic conveyor withdrawal devices giving free access by the mechanical bulls to the interior of the truck box through the loading platform.

In this state of the art, the telescopic conveyor and the loading platform do not have any interference, since the stresses that occur in the telescopic conveyor are very high during use and therefore the loading platforms are not designed to support such efforts. For this, the platform and the conveyor are arranged in parallel on the dock, avoiding interference between the two, which leads to the use of narrower platforms. Another solution would be to place the conveyor behind the loading platform, with which the scope of the telescopic conveyor is first lost and the second is that a shorter loading platform must be used, thereby losing the variation in working height of the loading platform.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art detailed above, by means of a novel device for loading and unloading goods

The loading and unloading device according to the invention comprises

a conveyor device with a positionable frame on a surface of a high loading and unloading dock, with a rear and a front part;

a telescopic conveyor belt mounted on the frame, extensible between a first position in which it is retracted on the frame, and an extended position where it protrudes from the front of the frame;

a drive mechanism mounted on the frame and connected to the conveyor belt to arrange the conveyor belt between said retracted position and said extended position; Y

a lifting mechanism associated with the frame in such a way that the front part of the frame is tiltable between an elevated position and a lowered position, and comprising lifting arms on which the frame is supported when its front part moves between the raised position and the lowered position;

a loading platform located under the frame between said rear part and said front part, and comprising an upper work surface;

and it is characterized because

the lifting mechanism is located under the loading platform;

The lifting arms are arranged in such a way that, at least in a rest position of the loading platform, they are retracted under the work surface of the loading platform.

Preferably, the rear part of the frame is articulated on a support platform mountable on the surface of the loading and unloading dock. The loading platform comprises a front end and a rear end, and is connected to a drive mechanism for tilting the front end of the loading platform vertically with respect to the rear end thereof between an upper position and a lower position passing through the resting position, so that the front end of the work platform is positionable at different heights in front of transverse edges of respective loading surfaces of different transport vehicles.

The loading platform is mounted so that its rear end is arranged under the frame flush with the surface of the loading and unloading dock, while its front end is frontally forward with respect to the front part of the frame. In turn, the lifting arms of the lifting mechanism comprise upper parts on which the frame is supported when its front part moves between the raised position and the lowered position, and which, at least in the rest position of the platform of load, they are retracted on the loading platform.

The lifting arms of the lifting mechanism may comprise transversely facing upper parts on which the frame is supported when its front part moves between the raised position and the lowered position, and which, at least in the rest position of the loading platform , are retracted on the loading platform. Preferably, the lifting mechanism comprises two lifting arms.

As can be seen, the loading platform, on the one hand, constitutes a safety fund under the transporting device and, on the other, it can be positioned in such a way that it forms a bridge passable by people and transport cars, such as forklifts. On the other hand, the fact that the front end of the loading platform can swing with respect to its rear end, allows said front end to be positioned facing the transverse edges of the loading surfaces of various heights not only greater than the height of the surface of the loading and unloading dock but also lower than said height, allowing the entry of the telescopic conveyor belt at various heights and without interfering with the loading and unloading dock ..

In one embodiment of the invention, the loading and unloading device comprises a frame with a rear part in which the rear end of the loading platform is articulated, a front part, a lower part, and an integrated upper part on the loading platform. According to this embodiment, the lifting mechanism may comprise at least one actuator selected from pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators and spindle actuators, connected to an upper section below the upper end of at least one of the lifting arms and with a lower end articulated to the lower part of the frame, while the frame of the conveyor device slides axially in the upper part of the lifting arm when the conveyor device moves between said raised position and said lowered position. In order to confer greater structural rigidity to the lifting mechanism, the lifting arms and actuators can be articulated in the lower part of the frame body, and the lifting arms can be connected to each other by means of a linkage crossbar of the lifting arms .

The upper part of the lifting arm may comprise a movable roller head in a lower axial guide of the frame of the conveyor.

The upper part of each lifting arm can be designed and arranged in such a way that it emerges through a longitudinal recess that crosses the work surface of the loading platform, when the frame of the transport device rests on said upper part of the arm elevator. Each longitudinal recess can be at least partially sealed by at least one hatch when the upper part of each lifting arm is retracted below the work surface of the loading platform. Each trapdoor is articulated to one edge of the support platform next to the longitudinal recess.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the front part of the frame of the conveyor device is provided with a front roller train on which the front part of the frame of the conveyor device is supported and which is movable in a first transverse rail provided on the platform of loading, said first transverse rail aligned, in said rest position of the loading platform, with at least one front lateral transverse rail provided on the surface of the loading and unloading dock. In turn, in this preferred embodiment, the support platform comprises at least one rear roller train movable in at least a second transverse rail provided on the surface of the loading and unloading dock. In this way, the loading and unloading device can move laterally. For this, the support platform can also comprise a first rear roller train and a second rear roller train parallel to each other and movable in respective second cross rails provided on the surface of the loading and unloading dock. Likewise, it can be provided that, when the loading platform is in said rest position and the conveyor belt is in its retracted position, the transporting device is movable on the lateral transverse rails provided on the surface of the loading and unloading dock until a position laterally away from the loading platform. In this way, the loading platform is free so that, by it, people or forklifts can access the loading surface of the transport vehicle.

The support platform may further comprise at least one anti-tip device that fits on at least one, preferably both, of the second transverse rails provided on the surface of the loading and unloading dock. The roll-over device may comprise a crossbar attached inferiorly to the support platform and provided with at least one lower wing that is laterally attached to the rail, or two side plates attached to side parts opposite the support platform and provided with lower extension paths that are attached laterally to the rail

According to the invention, an articulated front wing may be provided at the front end of the loading platform which, when the loading platform is positioned in front of the transverse edge of the loading surface of the transport vehicle, is deployable to rest on the loading surface

Preferably, the lifting mechanism of the conveyor device and the driving mechanism of the loading platform are synchronized in such a way that the loading platform moves towards its lower position when the front part of the frame tilts towards its lowered position.

The loading and unloading dock according to the invention comprises a raised horizontal surface with a front edge, and is characterized in that it comprises at least one loading and unloading device with the characteristics described above, the loading and unloading dock preferably comprising a Front incoming in for each loading platform.

In accordance with the foregoing, the present invention overcomes the drawbacks by means of a device and a loading and unloading dock of simple structure and easy to implement both in existing facilities and in new construction facilities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Aspects and embodiments of the invention are described below on the basis of schematic drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the loading and unloading device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the conveyor device of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of the conveyor device shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a front view of the conveyor device shown in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a partial front view of the conveyor device shown in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an antero-lateral perspective view of the support platform of the conveyor device shown in Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a sectional view along the line A-A marked in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view of the detail I marked in Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a side view of the rear of the loading and unloading device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a view of detail II marked in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a side view of the conveyor device of Figure 2 with its conveyor belt in its extended position;

Figure 12 is a top plan view of the conveyor device shown in Figure 11;

Figure 13 is an antero-lateral perspective view of an embodiment of the loading platform of the loading and unloading device according to the invention;

Figure 14 is a partially sectioned side view of the loading platform shown in Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a top plan view of the loading platform shown in Figure 13;

Figure 16 is an antero-lateral perspective view of the lifting mechanism for the conveyor device;

Figure 17 is an antero-perspective view of the loading platform of Figure 13 integrated in a loading and unloading dock;

Figure 18 is a sectional view along the line B-B marked in Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a view of detail III of Figure 18;

Figure 20 is a view corresponding to Figure 18, in which the loading platform is in its position in its lower position;

Figure 21 is a view corresponding to Figure 18, in which the loading platform is in its position in its upper position;

Figure 22 is a partially sectioned side view of the loading and unloading device shown in Figure 1 in its resting position;

Figure 23 is a side view of the loading and unloading device shown in Figure 1 in a first working position with the conveyor belt in its retracted position;

Figure 24 is a partial side view of the loading and unloading device shown in Figure 22 with the conveyor belt in its extended position;

Figure 25 is a partial side view of the loading and unloading device shown in Figure 22 in a second working position with the conveyor belt in its extended position;

Figure 26 is a partial side view of the loading and unloading device shown in Figure 22 in a third working position with the conveyor belt in its extended position;

Figure 27 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a loading and unloading dock that integrates four loading and unloading devices according to the invention;

Figure 28 is a top plan view of the loading and unloading dock shown in Figure 27, with one of its loading and unloading devices in laterally displaced position;

Figure 29 is an elevational view of a loading and unloading device integrated in the loading and unloading dock of Figure 27, used to load a first type of vehicle before its conveyor belt has moved to its extended position ;

Figure 30 shows the loading and unloading device of Figure 29 with its conveyor belt in its extended position;

Figure 31 is an elevation view of a loading and unloading device integrated in the loading and unloading dock of Figure 27, used to load a second type of vehicle before its conveyor belt has moved to its extended position ;

Figure 32 shows the loading and unloading device of Figure 31 with its conveyor belt in its extended position.

Rn these figures appear numerical references that identify the following elements:

1 conveyor device 2 rack 2nd rear of the frame 2b front frame 2c lower axial guide of the conveyor frame 2d fixed frame section 2e extendable stretches of the frame 2f extreme profile 2g joint shaft 3 loading and unloading dock 3rd loading and unloading dock surface 3b front side cross rail 3c transverse recess

3d, 3e rear cross rail 3f front edge of loading and unloading dock 3g front incoming loading and unloading dock 3h cladding profile 3i anchor stud 3j recessed 3k anchor clip 3l cushion shoe 3m guidance profile 4 telescopic conveyor belt 4th minimum extension of the conveyor belt 4b extended conveyor extension 5 lifting mechanism 5th lifting arm 5b upper lifting arm 5c lower part of the lifting arm 5d crossbar 5e roller head 6 support platform 7 loading platform 7th front end of the loading platform 7b rear end of loading platform 7c longitudinal recess in the loading platform 7d first cross rail 7e side skirt 8 drive mechanism 9 loading surface 9th transverse edge of the loading surface 10 transport vehicle 11 frame 11th back of the frame 11b front part of the frame 11c lower part of the frame 11d upper part of the frame 12 lift mechanism actuator 12th first actuator end 12b second actuator end 13 front roller train 14a first rear roller train 14b second rear roller train 15 front wing 16 hydraulic group 17 front position lights 18 safety push bar 19 on / off button 20 control buttons 21 support frame 21st point of articulation 22 control box 23 counterweights 24 hatch 25 anti-roll device 25th lower extension 26 forklift 27 merchandise packages

MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

According to the realization of the loading and unloading device for goods, such as shown in the figures, this comprises a conveyor device -1-mounted on a loading and unloading dock -3-. The conveyor device -1-in turn comprises a frame -2-, a conventional conventional -4-telescopic conveyor belt mounted on the frame -2-, a lifting mechanism -5-, a support platform -6- and a loading platform -7-a loading platform -7-located under the frame-2-and equipped with a superior work surface. The conveyor device -1-also comprises a frame -11-integrated in the loading platform -7-.

The frame -2-comprises a rear part -2a-articulated on the support platform -6-mounted on the surface -3a-of the loading and unloading spring -3-, a rear part -2b-, lower axial guides -2c -prevised in the front part -2b-in lower sides of a fixed section -2d-of the frame -2-, a plurality of extendable sections 2e-, an end profile –2f-provided transversely in the front part -2b-. The rear part -2a-is articulated in two articulation points -21a-provided in the upper part of a support frame -21 through an articulation axis -2g-. The support frame is part of the support platform -6-.

The conveyor belt -4-telescopic is connected to a propulsion mechanism (not shown in the figures) mounted on the frame -2-in such a way that, by the action of a conventional longitudinal drive mechanism itself (not shown in the figures) mounted on the frame -2-and acting on the extendable sections -2e which in turn are conventionally connected to the conveyor belt -4-, so that the conveyor belt -4-can be arranged between a first position in which the conveyor belt -4-is retracted in the frame -2-and has a minimum extension -4a- (figures 1-3), and an extended position (figures 11, 12) in which it protrudes from the front of the frame -2-in which it is forming successive extensions extended -4b- ..

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the support platform -6- comprises a space surrounded by stringers and crossbars in which counterweights -23- can be arranged to ensure that the support platform -6-is maintained against the weight of the frame -2-, of the conveyor belt -4-and of the goods eventually deposited on the conveyor belt -4-.

The loading platform -7-is located between said rear part -2a-and said front part -2b-in a front recess -3g-on the front edge -3f-of the loading and unloading dock -3-, and comprises a front end -7a-and a rear end -7b-, and a drive mechanism -8-hydraulic for the loading platform -7-to tilt the front end -7a-of the loading platform -7-vertically with respect to the end posterior -7b-thereof between an upper position (figure 21) and a lower position (figures 13, 14, 20) passing through the rest position (figures 17, 18) so that the front end -7a-of the Work platform -7-is positionable at different heights facing transverse edges -9a-of respective cargo surfaces -9-of different transport vehicles -10-. For this, the loading platform -7-is mounted so that its rear end -7b-is arranged under the frame -2-flush with the surface -3a-of the loading and unloading dock -3-, while its end front -7a-is frontally forward with respect to the front part -2b-of the frame -2-. At the front end -7a-of the loading platform -7-is articulated a front wing -15-which, when positioned in front of the transverse edge -9a-of the loading surface -9-of the transport vehicle -10- , is foldable to rest on the loading surface -9-. The drive mechanism-8-hydraulic is also connected to the hydraulic group -16-. The loading platform -7- also includes two side skirts -7 facing the side walls of the front recess -3g-of the loading dock -3-.

The frame comprises a rear part -11a-in which the rear end -7b-of the loading platform -7- is articulated, a front part -11b-, a lower part -11c-, and an upper part -11d- which is part of the loading platform -7-. .

The lifting mechanism -5-is associated with the frame -2-in such a way that the front part -2b-of the frame is tiltable between an elevated position (figures 23, 24) and a lowered position (figure 26) passing through a resting position (figure 22). The lifting mechanism-5-comprises two lifting arms -5a-on which the frame is supported -2-when its front part -2b-moves between the raised position and the lowered position, and is located under the loading platform -7-. In the conveyor device -1-shown in the figures, the lifting mechanism comprises two -12-hydraulic actuators connected to a hydraulic group -16-. Each actuator -12-has a first end -12a-connected to an upper section -5b-of one of the lifting arms -5a-and a second end -12b-articulated to the bottom -11c-of the frame -11-. To stiffen the lifting mechanism -5-, the lower parts -5c-of the lifting arms -5a-are also articulated in the lower part 11c-of the frame body -11-, and the lifting arms -5a-are connected to each other by means of a crossbar -5d-link.

The lifting arms -5a-are arranged in such a way that in the rest position of the loading platform -7-, they are retracted under the work surface of the loading platform -7-. Each of the lifting arms -5a- of the lifting mechanism -5- comprises an upper part -5b- with a roller head -5 that can be moved in one of the lower axial guides -2c-of the frame -2-, when the front part - 2b-of the frame -2 moves between the raised position and the lowered position, and that, in the rest position of the loading platform 7-, they are retracted in the loading platform -7-. In turn, when the frame -2-of the transport device -1-rests on the upper parts -5b-of the lifting arms -5a-, the upper part -5b-of each lifting arm -5a-emerges through of a longitudinal recess -7c-present in the loading platform -7-. When the upper parts -5b-of the lifting arms -5a-are retracted under the work surface of the loading platform -7-, each of the longitudinal recesses -7c-is sealed by a 24-articulated hatch to a lateral edge of the support platform -7-neighbor to the longitudinal recess -7c-, so that, when the upper part -5b-of the lifting arm -5a-corresponding -5a-emerges from the longitudinal recess -7c-, pushes one side of the hatch -24-so that it opens and is supported laterally on the lifting arm -5a-, while when the upper part -5b-of the lifting arm -5a-returns to its resting position, the trapdoor -24-in turn closes due to gravity.

The front part -2b-of the frame -2-of the conveyor device -1-is provided with two front roller trains -13-, on which said front part -2b- is supported. These front roller trains -13-are movable on a first transverse rail -7d-provided on the loading platform -7-which is aligned with at least one front lateral transverse rail -3b-provided on the surface -3a-of the dock loading and unloading -3-. In turn, the support platform -6-rests on a first rear roller train -14a- and a second rear roller train -14b-, parallel to each other and with the first transverse rail -7d-, and movable in respective second transverse rails -3d, 3e-provided on the surface -3a-the loading and unloading dock -3-. At least one of the roller trains may be powered by a motor (not shown in the figures) to move the conveyor device to one side or the other. Thus, when the loading platform -7-is in said rest position and the conveyor belt -4-is in its retracted position, the transport device -1-is movable in the transverse rails -3b, 3d, 3e-provided in the surface -3a-of the loading and unloading dock -3- to a position laterally away from the loading platform -7-.

On the support platform -6-two anti-tip devices -25-adapted on both second cross rails -3d 3e- are mounted. In the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, each of the anti-tip devices -25- is composed of two side plates attached to side parts opposite the support platform -6 and provided with lower -25a-side extensions that are laterally attached to the profile of the transverse rail -3d, 3e corresponding.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, the second transverse rails -3d, 3e-present lower support bases joined by two intermediate sections to a top section returned on which the respective roller trains -14a, 14b- roll. , and extend through paths transverse recesses -3c-recesses in a transverse recess -3j-concrete fillings on the surface -3a-of loading dock -3-. Every second lane -3d, 3e-is mounted in its transverse recess -3c-in a conventional way by means of a base plate -3h-, studs -3i-with nuts, anchor clips -3k-. Between the base plate -3h- and the support base of the second rail -3d, 3e-a damping shoe -3l- is arranged. On each side of the second lane -3d, 3e-a guide profile -3m-is arranged which is attached by one of its vertical sides to a vertical wall of the recess -3c- and distanced by its other side of the lane -3d, 3e, thus leaving transverse channels in one of which the lower extension -25a-of a side plate of the roll-over device -25-which embraces the upper back section of the second rail -3d, 3e-corresponding is guided.

In the extreme profile -2f- (figure 5) there are front position lights -17- that illuminate respectively when the extendable parts -2e-of the frame -2-are in motion moving the conveyor belt -4 towards its extended position or towards its retracted position, control buttons -20-that allow an operator to carry the conveyor belt forward and backward, and choose the direction of transport forward or backward, as well as a safety push bar -18-which , when it encounters an obstacle, for the lifting mechanism -5-, the longitudinal drive mechanism for the advance / retraction of the conveyor belt -4-, the propulsion mechanism of the conveyor belt -4-, the drive mechanism 8 -of the loading platform -7-. In addition, in said end profile -2f-an activation / stop button -19- is also provided for activating the lifting mechanism -5- in standby mode, the longitudinal drive mechanism for the advance / reverse of the conveyor belt -4 -, the propulsion mechanism of the conveyor belt -4-, the drive mechanism -8- of the loading platform -7-, and possibly the engine that drives the rear roller trains -14a, 14b-, or deactivate them simultaneously , such as if an emergency stop is needed. These control elements -17, 19, 20-are duplicated in the control panel -22-mounted on the support frame -21-.

The lifting mechanism -5-of the conveyor device -1-and the driving mechanism -8-of the loading platform -7-are synchronized in such a way that the loading platform -7-moves towards its lower position when the front part -2b-of the frame -2-tilts towards its lowered position.

Figures 27 and 28 show an embodiment of a loading dock -3-in which four loading devices -1-having the characteristics described above are arranged. As can be seen, the spring -3 comprises a front edge -3f-with four front recesses -3g-on which two -7 loading platforms are arranged. The upper surfaces of the loading platforms -7-comprise respective first transverse rails -7d-aligned with the corresponding front -3b-transverse rails. In the second transverse rails -3d-, 3e-in their respective boxes -3j-. The front ends -7a-of the loading platforms -7 are substantially aligned with the front edge -3f-of the dock -3-. In figure 27 the conveyor devices -1-are arranged in their working position in which the front part -2b-of each frame -2 is located on top of one of the loading platforms -7-, while in figure 28 , one of the conveyor devices -1-has been moved laterally by rolling on the rails -7d-3b-3d, 3e-, so that the frame -2-is arranged on top of the surface -3a-of the loading dock -3 -, in such a way that the surface of the loading platform -7- above that which was previously arranged is free for the passage of forklifts -26- that are used to load or unload packages of merchandise -27-.

Figures 29 and 30 show positions of the transport device -1-for loading / unloading a transport vehicle -10-whose loading surface -9-is lower than the height of the front edge -3f-of the spring loading and unloading -3-. As you can see, in these positions the front end -7a- of the loading platform -7 has tilted to its lower position and its front wing -15-has landed on the loading surface -9-thus bridging the gap between the front edge -3f-of the pier -3- and the transverse edge -9a-of the loading surface -9-. In turn, the front part 2b-of the frame -2-is in its lowered position supported on the roller head -5e-of the lifting mechanism -5-.

In the position shown in Figure 29, conveyor belt -4-is retracted in the frame -2-and has its minimum extension -4a-. To reach the extended position shown in Figure 30, in which the conveyor belt -4-protrudes from the front part -2b-of the frame -2-forming the successive extended extensions -4b-, the drive mechanism extends the stretches -2e-of the frame -2-connected to the conveyor belt -4-.

Figures 31 and 32 show positions of the transport device -1-for loading / unloading a transport vehicle -10-whose loading surface -9-is higher than the height of the front edge -3f-of the spring loading and unloading -3-. As you can see, in these positions the front end -7a- of the loading platform -7 has tilted to a higher position and its front wing -15-has landed on the loading surface -9-thus bridging the gap between the front edge -3f-of the pier -3- and the transverse edge -9a-of the loading surface -9-. The front part 2b-of the frame -2-is in its lowered position supported on the roller head -5e-of the lifting mechanism -5-.

In the retracted position of the conveyor belt -4-shown in Figure 31, it has its minimum extension -4a-

On the other hand, to reach the extended position shown in Figure 30, in which the conveyor belt -4 protrudes from the front part -2b-of the frame -2-forming the successive extended extensions -4b-, the drive mechanism goes extending the stretches -2e-of the frame -2-connected to the conveyor belt -4-.

Claims (19)

1. Device for loading and unloading goods with a conveyor device (1) comprising a frame (2) positionable on a surface (3a) of an elevated loading and unloading spring (3), with a rear part (2a) and a front part (2b); a telescopic conveyor belt (4) mounted on the frame (2), extensible between a first position in which it is retracted in the frame (2) and an extended position where it protrudes from the front part of the frame (2); a longitudinal drive mechanism mounted on the frame (2) and connected to the conveyor belt (4) to arrange the conveyor belt (4) between said retracted position and said extended position; a lifting mechanism (5), associated with the frame (2) in such a way that the front part (2b) of the frame is tiltable between an elevated position and a lowered position, and comprising lifting arms (5a) in which supports the frame (2) when its front part (2b) moves between the raised position and the lowered position; a loading platform (7) located under the frame (2) between said rear part (2a) and said front part (2b), and comprising an upper work surface; characterized because the lifting mechanism is located under the loading platform (7); The lifting arms (5a) are arranged such that, at least in a rest position of the loading platform (7), they are retracted under the work surface of the loading platform (7). 2. Device for loading and unloading goods according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear part (2a) of the frame (2) is articulated on a support platform (6) mountable in the surface (3a) of the loading and unloading dock (3); the loading platform (7) comprises a front end (7a) and a rear end (7b), it comprises a drive mechanism (8) connected to the loading platform (7) to swing the front end (7a) of the loading platform (7) vertically with respect to the rear end (7b) thereof between an upper position and a lower position through a rest position, so that the front end (7a) of the work platform (7) is positionable at different heights in front of transverse edges (9a) of respective loading surfaces (9) of different vehicles of transport (10); the loading platform (7) is mounted so that its rear end (7b) is arranged under the frame (2) flush with the surface (3a) of the loading and unloading spring (3), while its front end (7a ) is frontally forward with respect to the front part (2b) of the frame (2); the lifting arms (5a) of the lifting mechanism (5) comprise an upper part (5b) on which the frame (2) rests when its front part (2b) moves between the raised position and the lowered position, and that, at least in the resting position of the loading platform (7), they are retracted in the loading platform (7).

3.

 Device for loading and unloading goods, according to claim 2, characterized in that the lifting arms (5a) of the lifting mechanism (5) comprise cross-facing upper parts (5b) on which the frame (2) rests when its front part (2b) travels between the raised position and the lowered position, and which, at least in the rest position of the loading platform (7), is retracted in the loading platform (7).

Four.

 Device for loading and unloading goods, according to claim 2, characterized in that

it comprises a frame (11) with a rear part (11a) in which the rear end (7b) of the loading platform (7), a front part (11b), a lower part (11c), and a part is articulated upper (11d) integrated in the loading platform (7); The lifting mechanism (5) comprises at least one actuator (12) selected from pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators and spindle actuators, with a first end (12a) connected to an upper section of at least one lifting arm (5a) below the end upper (5b) and a second end (12b) articulated to the lower part (11c) of the frame (11), the frame (2) of the conveyor (1) slides axially on the upper part (5b) of the lift arm (5) when the conveyor (1) moves between said raised position and said lowered position

5.

 Loading and unloading device according to claim 4, characterized in that the upper part (5b) of the lifting arm (5a) comprises a roller head (5e) movable in a lower axial guide (2c) of the frame (2).

6.

 Device for loading and unloading goods according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the drive mechanism (8) of the loading platform (7) comprises at least one actuator selected from pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators and spindle actuators, connected from one end to the bottom (11c) of the frame (11) and the other to the loading platform (7).

7.

Device for loading and unloading goods according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized

because the upper part (5b) of each lifting arm (5a) emerges through a longitudinal recess (7c) present in the loading platform (7) when the frame (2) of the transport device (1) rests on said upper part (5b) of the lifting arm (5a).

8.

 Device for loading and unloading of goods, according to claim 7, characterized in that each longitudinal recess (7c) is at least partially sealed by at least one trapdoor (24) when the upper part (5b) of each lifting arm (5a) is retracted below the work surface of the loading platform (7), each trapdoor (24) being articulated to an edge of the support platform (7) neighboring the longitudinal recess (7c).

9.

 Device for loading and unloading goods according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that

the front part (2b) of the frame (2) of the conveyor device (1) comprises a front roller train (13), on which the front part (2b) of the frame (2) is supported, and which is movable in a first transverse rail (7d) provided in the loading platform (7), said first transverse rail (7d) being aligned, in said rest position of the loading platform, with at least one front lateral transverse rail (3b) provided in the surface (3a) of the loading and unloading dock (3); The support platform (6) comprises at least one rear roller train (14a, 14b) movable in at least a second transverse rail (3d, 3e) provided on the surface (3a) of the loading and unloading spring (3).

10.

 Device for loading and unloading goods, according to claim 9, characterized in that the support platform comprises a first rear roller train (14a) and a second rear roller train (14b), parallel to each other and movable in respective second cross rails (3d, 3e) provided on the surface (3a) the loading and unloading dock (3).

eleven.

Device for loading and unloading goods, according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, when the loading platform (7) is in said rest position and the conveyor belt (4) is in its retracted position, the transport device (1 ) is movable in the transverse rails (3b, 3d, 3e) provided on the surface (3a) of the loading and unloading dock (3) to a position laterally away from the loading platform (7).

12.

 Device for loading and unloading goods, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a front wing (15) articulated at the front end (7a) of the loading platform (7) which, when the loading platform ( 7) is positioned in front of the transverse edge (9a) of the loading surface

(9) of the transport vehicle (10), is foldable to rest on the loading surface (9). 13. Device for loading and unloading goods, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lifting mechanism (5) of the conveyor device (1) and the drive mechanism (8) of the loading platform (7) are synchronized in such a way that the loading platform (7) moves towards its lower position when the front part (2b) of the frame (2) tilts towards its lowered position. 14. Device for loading and unloading goods, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lifting arms (5a) and the actuators (12) are articulated in the lower part (11c) of the frame body (11) , and the lifting arms are connected to each other by a crossbar (5d) connecting the lifting arms (5a).

fifteen.

 Device for loading and unloading goods, according to claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the support platform (6) comprises at least one anti-tip device (26) that adapts on at least one of the second transverse rails (3d, 3e) provided on the surface (3a) of the loading and unloading dock (3).

16.

 Device for loading and unloading goods, according to claim 15, characterized in that the support platform (6) has anti-tip devices (26) adapted on both second transverse rails (3d 3e).

17.

 Loading and unloading dock comprising a raised horizontal surface (3a) with a front edge (3f), characterized by comprising at least one device for loading and unloading goods as defined in any one of claims 1 to 16.

18.

 Loading and unloading dock according to claim 17, characterized in that the loading platform (7) of the loading and unloading device is arranged in a front recess (3g) of the loading and unloading dock (3).

SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 201231052 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 05.07.2012 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: See Additional Sheet RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

56 Documents cited Claims Affected

X

FR 2768415 A1 (ETABLISSEMENTS GOURMELON) 19.03.1999, claims 1-6; Figures 4-10. 1.17

Y

WO 0149595 A1 (ATECS MANNESMANN) 12.07.2001, summary; figures. 1.17

Y

US 2004033126 A1 (THOGERSEN) 19.02.2004, summary; figures. 1.17

TO

EP 1559668 A1 (CALJAN RITE-HITE) 03.08.2005, paragraphs [0021] - [0030]; figures. 1-18

TO

CA 1225059 A (CALJAN) 04.08.1987, claim 1; figures. 1-18

TO

US 2009294246 A1 (POGUE) 03.12.2009, summary; figures. 1-18

TO

US 6431346 B1 (GILMORE et al.) 13.08.2002, summary; figures. 1-18

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 26.12.2012

Examiner F. Monge Zamorano Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 201231052 CLASSIFICATION OBJECT OF THE APPLICATION  B65G21 / 14 (2006.01) B65G41 / 00 (2006.01) B65G69 / 28 (2006.01) B65G67 / 08 (2006.01) Minimum documentation sought (classification system followed by classification symbols) B65G Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, search terms used) INVENTIONS, EPODOC State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201231052 Date of Written Opinion: 26.12.2012 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 2-16, 18 1.17 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 2-16, 18 1.17 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: 201231052 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

FR 2768415 A1 (ETABLISSEMENTS GOURMELON) 19.03.1999

D02

WO 0149595 A1 (ATECS MANNESMANN) 12.07.2001

D03

US 2004033126 A1 (THOGERSEN) 19.02.2004

D04

EP 1559668 A1 (CALJAN RITE-HITE) 03.08.2005

D05

CA 1225059 A (CALJAN) 04.08.1987

D06

US 2009294246 A1 (POGUE) 03.12.2009

D07

US 6431346 B1 (GILMORE et al.) 13.08.2002

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 request is a device for loading and unloading merchandise consisting of:

•

A frame

•

A telescopic conveyor belt

•

A longitudinal drive mechanism

•

A lifting mechanism and

•

A loading platform

The application contains eighteen claims of which the first and seventeenth are independent. Directly or indirectly, the second to sixteenth claims depend on the first and the seventeenth depends on the seventeenth. The first claim characterizes the invention because:  a) The lifting mechanism is located under the loading platform  b) The lifting arms are retracted under the loading platform when it is in a situation of  repose The seventeenth claim characterizes as an invention a loading and unloading dock by being provided with "at least one loading and unloading device as defined in any one of the first to sixteenth claims" Once the relevant search has been carried out, the characterization of the invention carried out in this first claim has been disclosed in document D1 (Gourmelon). Also, the invention can be considered as the obvious result of adapting to a telescopic conveyor such as the one disclosed in D2 (Mannesmann) the typical lifting system of the mobile ramps such as the one disclosed in D3 (Thogersen). The seventeenth claim refers to a loading and unloading dock characterized by having a device installed as claimed in any of the first to sixteenth claims. Once the lack of novelty and inventive activity of the first claim has been found, the seventeenth claim must also be considered as lack of novelty and inventive activity Unlike the independent claims, which characterize the invention in rather general terms, by two details of the general arrangement of the structure, the second to sixteenth and eighteenth claims characterize the invention by a successive detail of technical details that have not been disclosed. previously and that due to their complexity in number and interrelationships, they cannot be considered the result of an obvious combination of previous disclosures. The documents cited in connection with these claims are for illustrative purposes. Thus, D4 (Caljan) and D5 (Caljan) disclose telescopic conveyors of a structure very similar to the invention but without the lifting mechanism. D6 (Pogue) is also a telescopic conveyor and does have a lifting mechanism although different from the invention and consisting of a support foot on which one end rests and on which it pivots thanks to the action of a vertical lifting system and a pneumatic square cylinder. Finally D7 (Rapistan) discloses another conveyor with a configuration very similar to that of D2. In this small documentary sample it is therefore sought to collect the technical solutions to the loading and unloading problem currently known to come from large manufacturers, such as Caljan, Mannesmann and Rapistan, and in them appear, scattered, some elements of the invention (arms elevators, pneumatic actuators, rollers, rails, etc.) but not forming the mechanical assemblies and sub-assemblies that are claimed for the invention, so it does not appear that prior disclosures of the technical solutions proposed by this invention can be considered. Thus, taking into account the above considerations and in the opinion of the examiner, the attributes of novelty, within the meaning of article 6 of the current Patent Law 11/1986, or of inventive activity, within the meaning of article 8 should not be recognized of the aforementioned Law to the first and seventeenth claims of the application and it could be done, instead, with respect to the second to sixteenth and eighteenth claims. State of the Art Report Page 4/4