FR2587005A1 - Device for automatic storage and removal of loads - Google Patents

Abstract

The device for automatic storage and removal of loads, according to the invention, comprises a structure 1 to 6 of a type which is well known by the name "paternoster". Instead of conventional swing-trays, it uses removable load-carrier elements or loads 10 equipped with suspension means 12 provided with fastening devices 13, 14 capable of ensuring a removable and rotary link between the load or the load-carrier element 10 and complementary fastening means supplied on the two endless chains 1, 2 of the structure. The invention applies, in a particularly advantageous manner, to storage in a ship.

Description

DEVICE FOR THE AUTOMATIC STORAGE AND EXTRACTION OF
LOADS.

The present invention relates to a device for the automatic storage and extraction of charges.

More specifically, it relates to a device of this kind which can be used in many applications and which is more particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for the storage and extraction of charges, in particular in the case where: - the storage volume is not very accessible and / or lends itself
poor handling using usual means - storage takes place inside atmospheric enclosures
controlled sphere such as, for example, enclosures
thermostatically controlled, sealed vacuum or tale chambers
for a treatment gas, cold rooms, etc ...

- the storage enclosure is movable in inclination and where the
loads must necessarily remain horizontal - we want to selectively extract loads
stored with, possibly, automatic sorting on
criterion performed by a processor.

To achieve these results, the invention proposes using a structure of the type of that of the storage and / or presentation devices well known under the name of wPater-Noster "which include:
- two identical transmission elements such as
cables, chains or belts, each forming a
endless loop, and which extend parallel to one
the other in two respective vertical planes parallel
the, each of these transmission elements being mounted
on at least two wheels driven in parallel, namely at
minus a high wheel and a low wheel, these wheels being
arranged to form two pairs of wheels
coaxial, namely a high torque and a low torque;
- means for synchronizing the rotation of at least the
wheels of a better torque;
- a plurality of support elements integral with the two
transmission elements and arranged so that at
each support element of one of the trans elements
mission corresponds to a support element of the other
transmission element, these two support elements
forming a pair and being focused on the same straight line
parallel to the axes of rotation of the wheels;
- swings designed to receive loads and
permanently mounted on a corresponding pair
supporting elements.

 It turns out that the field of application of such a structure is relatively limited to objects which can be easily handled and which can be easily introduced into the swings.

A first object of the invention is therefore to allow a generalization of the use of this structure, or even of a structure in which the two pairs of wheels are located substantially at the same level and form a front torque and a rear torque. , to a wide variety of objects and to facilitate, or even automate, the handling of these charges, especially during the introduction and extraction phases.

To this end, the invention proposes to use, instead of conventional swings, loads or removable load-bearing elements such as containers or box-pallets, on which the loads can be previously placed, outside the storage volume of said load. structure.

In this case, these loads or these load-carrying elements are equipped with suspension means provided with attachment devices cooperating with additional attachment means provided on the support elements to ensure a removable and rotary connection of the load or of the load-carrying element on the transmission elements.

The device according to the invention can also advantageously comprise a mobile loading and / or unloading structure perpendicular to the path of the support elements between two positions, namely - a first position in which it is located.
outside the passage of loads or elements
load carrier inside the storage device, and - a second position in which it is engaged between
the two transmission elements.

Thus, in the first position, the loading structure can receive a load or a load-carrying element, or be unloaded, either manually, or by means of a conventional cleaning device. The second position of this structure must be such that
- during the loading phase, the hooking devices
loading of the load or of the load-carrying element which it
supports are properly placed in the volume of
passage of the fastening devices for the elements of
support and that the hanging takes place, then, auto
matically during the advance of the elements of transmitted
if we ;;
- during the unloading phase, the load or the element
load carrier can be placed on the structure and
be supported by it when reversing
transmission elements at the end of which
the disengagement of the attachment means is effected.

According to another characteristic of the invention, each of the transmission elements is mounted on a plurality of high and low or front and rear wheels and forms a path, a first part of which is sinuous and provides a storage mode, depending on the case, of type in columns or rows and a second part of which ensures the connection between the two ends of the sinuous part. In this winding part, the portions of the transmission elements, between two high and low wheels or front and rear, are preferably vertical in the case of storage in columns or horizontal in the case of storage in rows. They are then parallel and spaced from each other by a distance equal to the diameter of the wheels. The second part of the path of the transmission elements can possibly pass, thanks to a suitable arrangement of deflection wheels, in a zone of appropriate loading / unloading which can be equipped with a loading structure as previously described.

In the case where the storage takes place inside an enclosure with a controlled atmosphere, the loading / unloading zone can advantageously include an access airlock possibly equipped with the said loading structure.

 It should be noted that, in the case where the device according to the invention is arranged so as to provide storage in rows and consequently includes pairs of front and rear wheels, the horizontal portions of the connecting elements lying between two Front and rear wheels can advantageously be supported by support and guide elements such as slides.

Embodiments of the invention will be described below, by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view,
to illustrate the principle of the
storage according to the invention
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view,
stackable load carrying elements that can be used
sés in the device shown in Figure 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view,
of an alternative embodiment of the attachment means
loads or load-carrying elements
Figures 4 to 7 are schematic representations
to illustrate the principle of a struc
loading ture;
Figure 8 shows schematically, seen from the side, a
storage device fitted to a store such as,
for example, the hold of a boat.

 It should first be noted that the storage device shown in FIG. 1 has been very schematized and simplified to better facilitate understanding.

This device consists more particularly of two transmission elements 1, 2, such as chains, cables, belts or the like, forming two endless loops which extend in two respective parallel planes P1, P2.

These two transmission elements 1, 2 are mounted on two pairs of coaxial wheels 3, 4 - 5, 6, the nature of which depends on the type of transmission element 1, 2 used.

Thus, in the case where the transmission elements 1, 2 are chains, the wheels 3 to 6 can be toothed and consist, for example, of pinions. In the case where these transmission elements 1, 2 are cables or belts, the wheels 3 to 6 may then consist of pulleys, possibly with grooves.

Furthermore, the wheels 3, 4 of at least one of the two pairs can be rotated, synchronously, for example by means of a motor 7 and a transmission device 8 preferably located outside the storage volume delimited by the two transmission elements 1, 2.

As previously mentioned, the transmission elements are equipped with support elements which, in the example shown in FIG. 1, consist of bars 9 parallel to the axes of the pulleys, and the ends of which are respectively fixed on the two elements of transmission 1, 2.

On these support elements 9 can be suspended, like swings, loads or load carriers, for example boxes 10, whose two opposite lateral sides are provided with hooking and suspension means, suitable for hang on a bar of the storage device.

In this example, the attachment and suspension means consist of handles 12 provided on the lateral sides of the boxes 10 and which, projecting upwards, two respective coaxial loops 13 each provided with a lateral opening 14 through which can come and introduce a bar 9.

Once suspended from the bars, these loads or load-bearing elements can therefore oscillate freely.

 It is clear that this result can only be obtained if the length L of the loads or of the load-carrying elements is slightly less than the spacing e of the planes P1 and P2.

Likewise, to prevent the loads or the load-carrying elements from touching each other during their movement in the storage device thus formed, the diameter d of the wheels 3 to 6 is provided slightly greater than the width 1 of the loads or of the door elements -charge.

In addition, the spacing (pitch) between two consecutive support elements 9 is provided greater than the total height h of the loads 10 or of the load-carrying elements.

The load-carrying elements may advantageously, but not exclusively, consist of pallet boxes stackable one on the other, equipped with suspension and hooking means such as those previously described, as well as means allowing their gripping by machines known industrial handling.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, such a pallet swing 14, 14 ′ may comprise, as shown in FIG. 2, a conventional pallet structure 15, 1S ′ provided with two solid or perforated sides 16, 16 '- 17, 17 ′, the suspension and hooking means of which are also used for stacking and embedding during stacking.

In this example, the suspension and attachment means consist of lyre-shaped handles 18, 18 'comprising, at their upper part, an oblong ring 19, 19' provided with a lateral slot 20, 20 'and, in their lower part, a flared shape 21, 21 ', substantially complementary to that of the ring 19, 19'. Thus, during the superposition of two pallet swings 14, 14 ', the rings 19' of the lower pallet 14 'will engage in the volume delimited by the flared part 21 of the upper pallet 14, thereby ensuring its maintenance lateral and transverse.

To avoid the opening of its upper part under the weight of the load, the moving head may be equipped with reinforcing means 22, 22 '.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the support elements (bars 9) and the attachment means (lyres 18, 18 ') described above.

 I1 is indeed possible to use in place of each of the bars 9, two pins, rings, hooks or the like.

Similarly, conversely, the load or the load-carrying element could comprise, instead of the two split rings, two pins capable of coming respectively to engage in corresponding housings of two support pieces respectively integral with the two elements of transmission.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of such an arrangement, in the case where the transmission elements consist of chains of which only one link 25 has been shown.

This link 25 comprises, in a conventional manner, two parallel cheeks 26, 27 with rounded ends and connected to one another by two axes 28, 29. On the outer face of one of these two cheeks 27 is mounted oscillating, around the axis 28, a support piece 30 provided with a recess 31 9 in the form of a half-bearing intended to receive an ilion turn 32 equipping a load 33 or a load-carrying element, of which only the upper part has was partially represented.

In this case, to avoid disengagement of the pin 32 as a result of an axial displacement, the latter may comprise, at its end, a shoulder 34. The recess 31 must then include a groove 35 in which can engage shoulder 34.

As previously mentioned! the storage device can advantageously be equipped with a loading or unloading device such as that the principle of which is illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7.

In this example, this device uses a horizontal transfer plate 37 movable perpendicular to the path of the transmission elements 1, 2 that the lion has partially represented in Schematic form provided with a support element such as a bar 9.

This plate 37 can move between two positions, namely: - a first position, in which it is located
outside the passage zone z of charges or
load-carrying elements (shown diagrammatically in at 38) inside the storage device, as shown
Dropped on figures 3 7 7: and - a second position, in which it is engaged
between the two transmission elements 1, 2, such
so that the hooking devices (split ring
39) of the load or of the load-carrying element 38 which
supports can cooperate with the hanging means
support elements (bars 9).

The operation of this device during the loading phase is as follows
During a first step, the load 38 is placed on the transfer plate 37 which is in the first position, the rings 39 being axes parallel to the bar 9 with the slot 40 oriented towards them.

During a second step, by a controlled rotation of the wheels which drives the transmission means 1, 2 upwards, the bar 9 is brought to the right of the slots 40 of the rings 39 (wire arrow).

During a third step, thanks to a translation and / or a rotation (arrow f2), the plate 37 is brought into its second position, position in which the bar 9 is engaged in the ring 39 (FIG. 5).

During a fourth step thanks to a wheel drive, the bar 9, moved upwards (arrow f3), engages in the upper part of the ring 39 which forms a hook (Figure 6) then drives the load 38 (arrow f4; figure 7). In parallel, by translation and / or rotation in the opposite direction (arrow f5), the plate 37 is returned to its first position.

The unloading phase can be carried out by a reverse process comprising the following steps
A first step, in which the plate 37, initially in the first position, is brought into the second position, between two consecutive suspended loads (FIG. 7, arrow f'5, in broken lines).

A second step, in which the transmission means 1, 2 are driven downwards (arrow f'4) by the wheels, until the load 37 comes to rest on the plate 37 (FIG. 6) and, that then, the bar 9 comes to be arranged (arrow f'3) in line with the slot 40 (FIG. 5).

A third step, in which the plate 37, carrying the load 38, is brought back to the second position (arrow f'2).

The transmission means 1, 2 can then be driven in one direction or the other depending on the nature of the operation to be performed.

Of course, this operation can be fully automated. To this end, the wheels of the device can be driven by a stepping motor synchronized with the means for moving the plate 37.

In addition, various detection means can be provided, in order to ensure correct operation of the device.

The previously described loading / unloading device may further comprise means for transferring the loads to a conventional handling device or even to another storage device. Such an arrangement therefore makes it possible to constitute successive storage lungs which are not necessarily parallel, nor in the same axis.

Furthermore, this loading / unloading device does not necessarily involve a transfer plate.

This could, for example, be replaced by a fork or the like, intended to engage gripping elements provided, for example, on the lateral sides of loads or load-carrying elements.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the transmission elements is mounted on a plurality of high and low wheels and forms a path, a first part of which is sinuous and delimits the.

main storage volume, and a second part of which provides the connection between the two ends of the sinuous part.

Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the storage device is installed inside a storage magazine 41 such as, for example, the hold of a fishing boat. This store 41, possibly refrigerated, comprises a substantially horizontal upper wall 42 (for example the deck of the boat) and an oblique lower wall 43 (for example the bottom of the boat).

This store 41 communicates with an access chamber 44 (or castle) provided on the upper wall 42.

Inside this magazine 41, the sinuous path of the transmission elements 1, 2 is provided by five pairs of low coaxial pulleys 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 arranged so as to substantially follow the contour of the bottom 43, a distance slightly greater than the total height of the loads or of the load-carrying elements 50, and six pairs of high pulleys 51 to 56, namely: four central pairs 52 to 55 arranged at the same level, so as to leave free a volume passage 57 under the upper wall 42, a pair of end pulleys 51 located at the height of the passage volume 57 and a pair of end pulleys 56 located inside the access chamber 44. A pair of return pulleys 58 is further provided for ensuring a return at right angles to the transmission element 1, 2 between the pulleys 51 and 56.

As can be seen, in the winding part, the portions 60 of the transmission element 1, 2, comprised between the high and low wheels, are preferably vertical and spaced apart by a distance equal to the diameter of the pulleys. .

The loading or unloading of the device described above is carried out by the access chamber 44, possibly provided with an airlock 61 and a transfer device 62, of the type of that previously described.

In the case of a fishing boat or a cold store, after loading, the loads 50 will advantageously be circulated in the passage volume 57 under the upper wall 42 where the refrigeration evaporators are generally placed, so as to bring thus the products, as quickly as possible, at the required temperature.

 It is clear that the invention is not limited to the shape of the path of the transmission elements and to the arrangement of the pulleys of the storage device shown in FIG. 8. Many other solutions taking into account the specificity of the application and available volume can be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

As previously defined, the storage device according to the invention has, in addition to those specified at the beginning of this memo, multiple advantages among which only the following will be mentioned
- optimal use of available storage volumes
wheat, whatever its form;
- the weakness of the powers involved, due to the fact that,
when the system is filled, the charges make up for the
most counterweights with each other t
- the possibility of using low power motors
this, especially in case the system is filled
or emptied, shelf by shelf, as in the case of a
fishing boat and therefore the speed
of the transmission elements has not
need to be quick.

In addition, it is important to specify that, thanks to the fact that it allows load balancing, the device according to the invention makes it possible to solve, in a particularly surprising manner, the crucial problem posed by pitching in small and medium fishing boats. It allows, in particular, to lose less water, ice and fish stored in the trays which are placed in the load carriers (pallets-swings).

Claims (19)

Patent claims  1. Device for the automatic storage and extraction of loads of the type comprising two identical transmission elements (1, 2) such as chalnes, cables or belts, each forming an endless loop and which extend in parallel to each other, in two respective parallel vertical planes, each of these transmission elements being mounted on at least two wheels (3 to 6) axially parallel to each other, the wheels associated with these two transmission elements being arranged so as to form two pairs of coaxial wheels (3, 4 - 5, 6), means for synchronizing the rotation of at least the wheels of the same couple, a plurality of support elements (9) integral with the two transmission elements (1, 2) and agencies so that each support element (9) of one of the transmission elements (1) corresponds to a support element (9) of the other transmission element (2) r these two support elements (9) forming a pair and being axes on the same straight line parallel to the axes of rotation of the pulleys, and swings designed to receive loads and rotatably mounted, on a corresponding pair of support elements, characterized in that the above swings consist of loads (10 ) or removable load-carrying elements, such as pallets or pallet boxes, on which the loads can be previously placed, outside the storage volume of said device and, consequently, these loads or these carrying elements -loads are equipped with suspension means (12) provided with hooking devices (13) which cooperate with complementary hooking means provided on the support elements (9), to ensure a disconnectable and rotary connection of the loads (10 ) or load-carrying elements on the transmission elements  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the case of storage in columns, it comprises a pair of high wheels and a pair of low wheels.  3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the case of storage in lines, it comprises a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, these two pairs being arranged at substantially the same level.  4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the portions of the connecting elements, comprised between two front and rear wheels, are supported by support elements such as slides.  5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforesaid support elements consist of bars (9) parallel to the axes of the wheels (3 to 6) and the ends of which are respectively fixed on the two transmission elements (1, 2), and in that, in this case, the loads (10) or the load-carrying elements comprise lateral handles comprising, projecting upward, two respective coaxial loops (13) each provided with a lateral opening ( 14) through which a bar (9) can be introduced.  6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length (L) of the loads (10) or of the load-carrying elements is slightly less than the spacing (e) of the planes (P1, P2), the diameter (d) of the wheels (3 to 6) is provided slightly greater than the width (1) of the loads (10) or of the load-carrying elements, and the spacing between two consecutive support elements (9) is greater than the total height (h) of the loads (10) or of the load-carrying elements.  7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the load-bearing elements consist of pallet boxes (14, 14 ') stackable one on the other, equipped with suspension and hooking means (18 , 19, 20) as well as means allowing them to be grasped using conventional handling means.  8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the above suspension means (18, 19, 20) are arranged so as to be used for stacking and embedding of pallet boxes (14) during stacking.  9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the aforesaid suspension and attachment means consist of handles (18, 18 ') in the form of a lyre comprising, at their upper part, an oblong ring (19, 19' ) provided with a lateral slit (20, 20 ') and, in their lower part, a flared shape (21, 21') substantially complementary to that of the ring (19, 19 ').  10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforesaid support elements comprise a pin, a hook or even a ring.  11. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the load (33) or the load-carrying element comprises two pins (32) capable of coming respectively to engage in housings (31) corresponding to two support parts (30) respectively secured to the two transmission elements (1, 2).  12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that said support parts (30) are mounted oscillating on said transmission elements (1, 2).  13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a loading and / or unloading structure (37), movable perpendicular to the path of the support elements (9) between two positions, namely: - a first position, in which it is located  outside the area for the passage of loads (38) or  load-carrying elements inside the device  storage; and - a second position, in which it is engaged  between the two transmission elements (1, 2), such  so that  - during the loading phase, the hooking devices  loading of the load or of the load-carrying element which it  supports, are appropriately placed in the volume of  passage of the fastening devices for the elements of  support, and that the hanging takes place, then,  automatically when advancing trans items  mission  - during the unloading phase, the load or the element  load carrier can be placed on the structure and  be supported by it when reversing  transmission elements, after which  the disengagement of the attachment means is effected.  14. Device for the automatic storage and extraction of loads of the type comprising two identical transmission elements (1, 2) such as chains, cables or belts, each forming an endless loop and which extend in parallel to each other, in two respective parallel vertical planes, each of these transmission elements being mounted on at least two wheels (3 to 6) axially parallel to one another, these wheels being arranged so as to form two pairs of coaxial wheels (3, 4 - 5, 6), means for synchronizing the rotation of at least the wheels of the same couple, a plurality of support elements (9) integral with the two elements - transmission elements (1, 2) and arranged so that each support element (9) of one of the transmission elements (1) corresponds to a support element (9) of the other element of transmission (2), these two support elements (9) forming a pair and being oriented on the same straight line parallel to the x axes of rotation of the pulleys, and of the swings designed to receive loads and rotatably mounted, on a corresponding pair of support elements, characterized in that each of the transmission elements forms a path of which at least a first part is sinuous and provides a type of storage mode in columns1 and a second part of which provides the connection between the two ends of the winding part.  15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that in the above winding part, the transmission elements are mounted on high and low wheels, and in that the portions (60) of the transmission elements, comprised between two wheels high and low consecutive, are vertical, parallel and spaced sounds from the other by a distance equal to the diameter of the wheels (45 to 56).  16. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that in the above winding part, the transmission elements are mounted on front and rear wheels located two by two at the same level, and in that the portions of the transmission elements, comprised between two consecutive front and rear wheels, are horizontal, parallel and spaced from one another by a distance equal to the diameter of the wheels.  17. Device according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the second part of the path of the transmission elements (1, 2). Passes, thanks to a suitable arrangement of idler wheels (58), in a zone appropriate loading / unloading (44) capable of being fitted with a loading / unloading structure.  18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that, in the case where the storage takes place inside an enclosure with controlled atmosphere, the said loading / unloading area (44) comprises an access airlock (61) possibly equipped with the above loading structure (62).  19. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by its application to storage in a boat.