FR2904608A1 - Handling assembly i.e. handling pallet, for e.g. stacking gypsum boards, has maintenance unit maintaining crossbeams in intermediate position between plate and end of raising unit, where crossbeams are independent of support modules - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly has an outer support modules (1) and a central support module (2), with a plate (6) and a raising unit (5) i.e. cylindrical block. A maintenance unit (4) maintains a crossbeam (3) e.g. beveled lath, in an intermediate position between the plate and an end of the raising unit opposite to the plate. The crossbeams are independent of the support modules, and the maintenance unit is a support unit e.g. spring, fixed on the crossbeam.

Description

 HANDLING ASSEMBLY SUITABLE FOR TRANSPORTING PLASTER PLATES FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a handling assembly, including a pallet handling, and its use for transporting articles, particularly manufactured objects such as gypsum board or the like.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Currently many items or goods are packaged for transport on pallets. Traditionally, the pallets of handling consist of an upper floor, used to board the goods and formed of parallel boards, a lower floor intended for contact with the ground and also formed of parallel boards, and finally spars perpendicular to the boards and ensuring the solidarity of the entire palette. Documents US 2369944, US 2371106, US 2371878, US 2503022 or FR 2757830 provide examples of such pallets. Another type of handling pallet is that of platforms consisting of a single floor provided with feet (or wedges or pads) to ensure the solidarity of the floor and to support it. For example, US Patent 1696585 or again US Patent 2371106 describe such paddles paddles.

Handling pallets is usually handled by manual (pallet truck) or electric (forklift,

R \ Patents \ 2550025597--060803-Text_offer doc- August 3, 2006 construction site) . These are equipped with forks or lifting arms that fit under the upper (raised) floor of the pallet to lift the entire load. In the document FR 2629055 is described a handling pallet with articulated cross members whose joints are firmly attached to the boards of the pallet, allowing to adjust the dimensions thereof according to the type of items to be transported. However existing pallets do not yet offer all the flexibility and simplicity of use desirable.

There is therefore a real need to design a handling assembly allowing such a flexible and simple use, particularly in the context of packaging or transport of drywall or similar articles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates first of all to a handling assembly comprising at least two support modules and at least one cross-member, each support module comprising a platform and a plurality of elevation means, the handling assembly comprising further holding means adapted to maintain the or the sleepers in an intermediate position between the trays and the end of the raising means opposite the trays.

Preferably, the intermediate position is located approximately midway between the trays and the end of the raising means opposite the trays.

According to a first group of embodiments, the sleepers are independent of the support modules and the holding means are support means attached to the sleepers. Preferably, the support means are selected from shims, feet, pads, springs, blades, staples.

R \ Bre \ ets \ 25500v25597-060803-Text filing doc- August 3, 2006 According to a second group of embodiments, the holding means are connecting means attached to at least one of the support modules and adapted to the connection of the at least one support module to the cross or slats and the sliding of the cross members relative to said at least one support module, on the one hand in the direction of the one or more sleepers, and on the other hand in the direction perpendicular to the plate of said at least one support module. According to a particular embodiment, the connecting means are provided with return means.

Advantageously, the sleepers are slats, possibly bevelled.

Advantageously, each support module comprises from 2 to 8, preferably from 4 to 6, elevation means.

Advantageously, the raising means are blocks extending parallel to the sleepers or crosspieces.

According to a particular embodiment, the raising means are sets of hollow conical studs. Advantageously, the support modules comprise two extremal support modules and at least one central support module.

According to a particular embodiment, the trays of the end support modules have a double surface compared to that of the trays of the central support modules.

Advantageously, the raising means are provided with a strapping notch.

The invention also relates to the use of a handling assembly as defined above, for transporting articles.

Advantageously, the articles are plasterboard.

Advantageously, the handling assembly is moved by means of a mechanical or electrical device provided with lifting arms.

The lift arms can be inserted perpendicular to the sleeper (s).

R Jïrevets \ 2550O> 25597--0608O3-Text filing doc- August 3, 2006 The lifting arms can be inserted under the or the sleepers and can lift the handling assembly by contact between the lift arms and the or sleepers. The lift arms can be inserted between the cross member (s) and the articles to lift the articles by contact between the lift arms and the articles.

The lifting arms can be inserted parallel to the or the sleepers and allow to lift the handling assembly by contact between the lift arms and the plates of the support modules.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the state of the art. It provides more particularly a pallet-type handling assembly, simple to manufacture and use, particularly well suited to the constraints related to the packaging or transport of drywall or similar articles.

This is accomplished through the development of a system comprising a floor formed of support modules and one or more sleepers, the sleepers being held in an intermediate position by holding means, this intermediate position being preferably located mid-height relative to the support modules. The sleepers may be either fully removable or attached to the support modules. In this second case, they have two degrees of freedom of translation (sliding) vis-à-vis each support module: a degree of freedom of longitudinal sliding, the support modules can be translated along the sleepers; and a degree of freedom of vertical sliding for moving the sleepers between the intermediate position in which they are held by the holding means (when the pallet is not being manipulated) and a position in contact with the underside of the trays.

This set of support modules and sleepers, in parts or not, is a pallet handling.

R Brcvets \ 25500 \ 25597 ~ 060803-Text filing doc- August 3, 2006 According to some particular embodiments, the invention also has the advantageous features listed below.

The dimensions of the pallet according to the invention can be adapted according to the needs, that is to say that the pallet can be enlarged or reduced as desired by moving the support modules away or closer by sliding relative to the crosspieces. - The hoist can embark the pallet according to the invention (possibly with its load of articles) or it can only embark the items placed on the pallet without the pallet, and this by inserting the forks of the machine between sleepers and items. This possibility is particularly useful in the context of stacking flat objects, which is particularly the case of plasterboard. The lifting means can be inserted horizontally on any one of the four sides of the pallet according to the invention. The pallet according to the invention can be handled by factory pallet destackers. - It is possible to return the pallet according to the invention upside down. Reverse use may be useful for storage in unstable terrain. The reversal can also be used for conditioning the doubling panels: the pallet according to the invention is therefore suitable for doubling.

Even in the case where the sleepers are connected to the support modules by connecting means, the pallet can be completely dismounted by sliding the sleepers until the disengage connecting means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

R \ Patents \ 25500 \ 25597 ~ 060803 Text filing doc- August 3, 2006 Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the handling assembly according to the invention, seen from above. The raising means and the sleepers are represented in transparency. Figure 2 is a front view of the same handling unit.

Figure 3 is a side view of the same handling unit.

Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the handling assembly according to the invention, seen from above.

Figure 5 is a top view of one of the support modules of a handling assembly according to the invention, in a particular embodiment allowing the nesting of several support modules.

Figure 6 is a side view of two support modules corresponding to this embodiment, superimposed and nested.

Figures 7 to 11 show side views of different embodiments of the handling assembly according to the invention, with different types of holding means.

Figure 12 is a front view of another particular embodiment of the handling assembly 1 according to the invention.

Figure 13 and Figure 14 respectively correspond to a front view and a side view of a handling assembly according to the invention being handled by a hoist, the handling assembly being lifted from the ground.

FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 respectively correspond to a front view and a side view of a stack of articles being handled by a hoist, the handling assembly according to the invention simply being placed on the ground.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

R Bre \ ets25500yS597 060803 Text of filing doc- August 3, 2006 The invention is now described in more detail and without limitation in the description which follows. Palette

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 3, the handling assembly according to the invention, hereinafter referred to as a pallet, comprises two extremal support modules 1 and a central support module 2. Each extremal support module 1 or central 2 is composed of a plate 6, which is a support plate whose upper face (top face in Figures 2 and 3) is intended to receive and support the items to be handled, and raising means 5 In the case shown here, these elevation means 5 are rectangular cylindrical blocks of rectangular section (rectangular parallelepipeds). Many other forms are possible, for example straight cylindrical blocks of trapezoidal section. Each support module 1 or 2 comprises five blocks. The lower face 5a of raising means 5 is intended to ensure the ground seat. It is possible to replace the blocks by pads, pads or any other means of support common in the field.

The support modules 1, 2 are arranged in parallel so as to align their respective raising means 5. Between these support modules 1, 2 are arranged two sleepers 3, which in this case are slats, located below the plates 6. The sleepers 3 are held in an intermediate position between the lower face 5a of the raising means ( ground level) and the trays 6 of the support modules 1, 2 by holding means 4.

In the present case, these holding means 4 are connecting means which connect the crosspieces 3 to the end support modules 1 to form a single object. These connecting means are more precisely constituted by springs (return means) 7, one end of which is fixed to the plates 6 of the end support modules 1, and

R Patents \ 25500 25597-060803-Text_depot doc- August 3, 2006 the other end consists of a receptacle for accommodating the sleepers 3.

The crosspieces 3 can slide relative to the receptacle of the springs 7. In this way, it is possible to modify the position of the end support modules 1 along the crosspieces 3. Consequently, it is possible to reduce or enlarge the zone of support available on the pallet respectively by bringing the two extremal support modules 1 closer or apart by sliding along the crosspieces 3.

Maintaining the crosspieces 3 at a distance from the trays 6 (this distance being less than the height of the raising means 5) is ensured by the action of the gravity and by the restoring force of the springs 7. In this way, the sleepers 3 are not in contact with the ground when the pallet is placed on the ground. Typically, the crosspieces 3 are held at mid-height relative to the raising means 5, that is to say halfway between the plates 6 and the lower face 5a of the raising means 5.

However, the presence of the springs 7 also has the consequence that the crosspieces 3 are not held rigidly in this intermediate position, but that, by exerting a compressive force on the springs 7, it is possible to raise the sleepers 3 and the bring the contact or at least at the level of the trays 6. Thus the sleepers 3 are also able to slide, to a certain extent, in a direction perpendicular to the plates 6. Some of the characteristics of the pallet which is shown here are purely optional. Thus: this pallet comprises a central support module 2, but it may very well be devoid of central support module 2, or may have a plurality of central support modules 2 located between the end support modules 1;

R \ Patents \ 25500 ^v 25597- 060803-Text filing doc- August 3, 2006 the extreme and central support modules here have the same dimensions but they could have different dimensions; each support module 1, 2 is provided with five raising means 5 in the form of blocks, but the number of raising means per support module can be any, and it is generally between 2 and 8; the pallet comprises two crosspieces 3, but it could also comprise only one, or on the contrary comprise more than two; the sleepers 3 are not connected to the central support module 2, so that it is removable relative to the rest of the pallet; however, it may also be advantageous to provide connecting means similar to those described above for connecting the sleepers 3 to the central support module (or each central support module) 2, so as to make the whole of the integral pallet while allowing the relative sliding of the sleepers 3 and the central support module 2 in the direction of the crosspieces 3 and in the direction perpendicular to the plate 6 of the central support module 2; alternatively again, it is possible to provide a rigid fixing system between the crosspieces 3 and the central support module 2, so that sliding can only be done with respect to the end support modules 1. As an example , the pallet can have the following dimensions: plate of each extremal support module: length 1200 mm, width 400 mm; platform of each central support module: length 1200 mm, width 400 mm; raising means: height 90 mm, length

400 mm, width 60 mm; sleepers: width 100 mm, length 2400 mm.

R Patents 25500Ω5597-060803-Text_depot doc- August 3, 2006 Alternatively, it is possible to provide that the extreme support modules are, for example, twice as large as the central support modules. In this case, it is not necessary to provide two types of elements, the first type to provide the extremal support modules and the second type to provide the central support modules, since the extremal support modules can be obtained by simple juxtaposition and / or connection of two central support modules. This possibility is represented in FIG. 4: each end support module 1 is composed of two portions 1a and 1b connected together, each portion 1a, 1b having the same shape as the central support module 2.

The pallet can be made of any material customary in the field, for example wood, metal, plastic. Those skilled in the art will be able to adapt in a simple manner the choice of manufacturing materials according to the desired resistance and according to the cost. In particular the support modules can be monoblock or can be obtained by assembling several parts.

FIG. 5 represents a particular example of a monobloc central or extremal suppo2 "t module, where both the plate 6 and the raising means 5 are obtained by forming or molding a single plate, typically a plastic plate. More particularly, each elevation means 5 is here formed by a succession of conical studs 8, so that the plate 6 has a number of recesses corresponding to the conical studs 8. This configuration makes it easy to stack the support modules (and therefore the handling assemblies) on one another, resulting in considerable space saving for the transport of the pallets FIG 6 shows an example of stacking a first support module 9 on a second module of support 10, the respective conical studs 8 of the two support modules s' embedded in each other.

It should be emphasized that in the case (such as that of FIGS. 5 and 6) where the support modules are monoblock,

R Bre \ ets \ 25500 \ 25597-O60803-Text filing doc- August 3, 2006 it is advantageous to provide that the holding means 4 also form a one-piece assembly with the support modules concerned and are also obtained by forming or molding from the same initial part as the plate 6 and the raising means 5.

FIGS. 7 to 10 show possible variants for the connection means constituted by the holding means 4, as an alternative to the springs 7 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 7, each connecting means is constituted by a set 11 of two rods attached to two successive raising means 5. These rods can be simple nails.

In FIG. 8, each connecting means is constituted by a bracket 12 which is fixed both to the plate 6 and to a raising means 5

In Figure 9, each connecting means is constituted by a through rod 13 attached to two successive elevation means. This rod can be rigid but it can also be a simple rope.

In Figure 10, each connecting means is constituted by a stirrup 14 (or a staple) attached to the plate 6. It is also possible to use a simple rope.

In the examples of FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, each support module comprises three elevation means 5.

The embodiments of FIGS. 7 to 10 have the advantage of constituting simple and low-cost systems. The sleepers 3 are simply held away from the trays 6 by simple supports, on which they rest under the effect of their own weight.

However, the spring system shown in Figures 1 to 4 also has certain advantages. In particular, if we turn the pallet, the springs still maintain the sleepers 3 away from the trays 6 via a restoring force and despite the action of gravity on the sleepers 3, which tends this time to bring them closer to the trays 6.

R \ Bre \ ets \ 25500> 25597-O608O3-TeLte filing doc- August 3, 2006 The choice of the position of the connecting means on their respective support modules 1, 2 can be important. In FIG. 1 or in FIG. 4, it can be seen that the connecting means 4 are situated in a central position with respect to the width of the respective support modules 1 (that is to say in the direction of the crosspieces 3). , which is a first possibility. But it is also possible to provide that the connecting means 4 are located near the inner edge of the end support modules 1 (that is to say the edge facing the central support module 2). This second possibility is advantageous because it makes it possible to limit the range of the crosspieces 3 by bringing their bearing points closer together and / or it makes it possible to increase the amplitude of the handling assembly, with a maximum size that can largely exceed the length sleepers 3 (and this by placing the end or the near-end of the cross members 3 at the connecting means).

Figure 11 corresponds to a separate embodiment. In this case, the holding means 4 are not connecting means but are support means 15 attached to the crosspieces 3. The crosspieces 3 are not physically connected to the support modules 1, 2 but are rather intended to be simply placed on the ground, transversely to the support modules 1, 2 and parallel to the raising means 5. The support means 15 may be of similar structure to the raising means 5. They may in particular be chosen from blocks, wedges, feet , studs, springs, blades, staples. The dimension of the support means 15 is chosen so that the crosspieces 3 are located in an intermediate position, for example halfway, relative to the trays 6, as in the other embodiments described above. But, unlike these, the sleepers 3 are completely independent of the support modules 1, 2.

Fig. 12 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, which can be combined with any

R Patents \ 25500,25597-060803-Text_offer doc- August 3, 2006 previously described modes. According to this embodiment, the raising means 5 are provided with strapping notches 16 on their lower face opposite the plates 6. These strapping notches 16 facilitate the passage of links for packaging a load on the pallet (strapping).

Using the palette

The pallet according to the invention is advantageously used to transport various articles, and in particular stacks of flat articles, more particularly stacks of plasterboard, doubling complexes or partitions.

Referring to Figures 13 and 14, the handling of flat articles using the pallet according to the invention is as follows.

A stack of articles 17 of flat shape (such as gypsum board) rest on the trays 6 of the support modules 1, 2 of the pallet. The typical mass of such a stack of articles can be 1.5 tons. The forks or lift arms 18 of a hoist (forklift) fit under the pallet by any of the four sides of the pallet. In the example shown here, the pallet has a central support module 2 and two end support modules 1, and the lift arms 18 fit under the pallet in the direction perpendicular to the cross members 3, between the module central support and respective end support modules.

To facilitate the insertion of the lifting arms 18, it can be provided that the crosspieces 3 have a flattened and bevelled shape.

FIG. 13 shows by dotted line the intermediate position 19 of the crosspieces 3. This intermediate position 19 corresponds to the vertical position of the crosspieces 3 when the pallet is simply placed on the ground (or on a support) and is not not handled by a gear. As has been described above, this intermediate position 19 is preferably located midway between

R ^ Bre \ ets \ 25500 \ 25597-O60803-Text_depot doc- August 3, 2006 path between the position of the trays 6 and the lower face 5a elevation means 5 (face of the raising means 5 opposite the trays 6, located at the ground or the support on which the pallet). There is thus between the ground level (or support) and the cross members 3 a sufficient space for the insertion of the lifting arms 18.

Then the pallet can be lifted by means of the hoist. This is effected by a vertical upward movement of the lifting arms 18. This displacement causes the vertical displacement upwards of the crosspieces 3 above the intermediate position 19 (rest) and up to their vertical end of travel. . The sleepers 3 are then at the level of the trays that is to say, according to the exact structure of the holding means 4, either in contact or almost in contact with the trays 6. By continuing their upward movement, the lifting arms 18 drive up the entire pallet and the stack of articles 17, the lifting arms 18 exerting a vertical force on the crosspieces 3, the sleepers 3 transmitting this vertical force on the trays 6, and the trays 6 exerting in turn, a vertical force on the stack of articles 17 able to raise it integrally with the pallet. It should also be noted that, since the crosspieces 3 have a certain flexibility, they deform when the pallet is lifted so that, locally, at the level of the contact with the lifting arms 18, the crosspieces 3 can be directly in contact with each other. of the stack of articles 17, which provides additional zones of vertical force transmission to the stack of articles 17.

Referring to Figures 15 and 16, the stack of articles 17 can be taken from the pallet according to the invention as follows. The pallet being placed on the ground (or on a support), the sleepers 3 are located at their intermediate (resting) position 19. Thus, sufficient space is provided between the sleepers 3 and the stack of articles 17 for

R Patents \ 25500 \ 25597-0608O3-Text_offer doc- August 3, 2006 insert the lifting arms 18 of a hoist. Subsequently, the stack of articles 17 can be lifted from the pallet by a simple vertical movement of the lifting arms 18. This same movement can be made exactly in the opposite direction, which allows to deposit the stack of articles on the pallet by means of the hoist, the intermediate position 19 of the crosspieces 3 leaving enough space to remove the lifting arms 18 after the deposit of the stack of articles 17.

Alternatively, it will be noted that it is possible to remove the crosspieces 3 (by sliding them horizontally until they disengage the holding means 4) prior to the lifting of the stack of articles 17 from the pallet, or on the contrary to set up the sleepers 3 after placing the stack of articles 17 on the trays 6 of the pallet.

The use of the pallet is analogous when the support modules 1, 2 and the crosspieces 3 are completely independent, that is to say when the pallet comprises, in fact holding means 4, not connecting means but rather support means 15. In fact, in this case we begin by placing the support modules 1, 2 in a provision for handling the expected load. Then the sleepers 3 are placed transversely to the support modules 1, 2. A stack of articles 17 can then be deposited on the plates 6 of the support modules 1, 2 according to the same principle as in FIGS. 15 and 16, since the dimension of the support means 15 is provided to provide sufficient space between the crosspieces 3 and the trays 6 for the lifting arms 18. Then the lift arms 18 are removed, possibly the strapping of the load, and all of the stack of articles 17 and the pallet can then be manipulated by a hoist according to the same principle as in FIGS. 13 and 14, since the crosspieces 3 are then entirely removable and that it is therefore possible to raise them by means of the lifting arms 18

Requests \ 25500 \ 25597-060803-Text deposit doc- August 3, 2006 to bring them to the level and / or in contact with the trays 6 and / or the stack of articles 17.

Yet another possible embodiment not shown is to use the support modules alone, without the sleepers. According to this embodiment, the support modules are positioned on the ground in a configuration suitable for receiving a stack of articles, and the set of support modules and the stack of articles can then be manipulated by inserting the arms of a hoist under the trays of the support modules transversely to the support modules, or manipulate the stack of articles alone by inserting the arms of a hoist under the stack of articles parallel to the support modules . The possibility of transporting both the support modules and the stack of articles is a significant improvement over the existing neighboring techniques of placing simple wedges under the stack of articles, the shape of these simple holds not allowing the insertion of arms of a hoist under them.

According to one variant, the upper part of the trays can be provided with support modules with gluing means, so that the lower part of the stack of articles is glued to the trays of the support modules when it is deposited therein. This allows easy handling of the support module + article stack assembly, even by inserting the lifting machine arms parallel to the support modules. Preferably, the bonding is not irreversible and it is possible to detach the lower article from the stack when desired.

R ^v Patents \ 25500 \ 25597-060803-Text of doc-doc August 3, 2006

Claims (21)

Handling assembly comprising at least two support modules (1,2) and at least one cross-member (3), each support module (1,2) comprising a plate (6) and a plurality of elevating means (5), the handling assembly further comprising holding means (4) adapted to maintain the or the sleepers (3) in an intermediate position (19) between the plates (6) and the end (5a) of the elevating means (5) opposite to the plates (6). 2. handling assembly according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate position (19) is located approximately halfway between the plates (6) and the end (5a) of the raising means (5) opposite the trays (6). ). 3. A handling assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more sleepers (3) are independent of the support modules (1, 2) and the holding means (4) are support means (15) attached to the sleepers (3). 4. The handling assembly of claim 3, wherein the support means (15) are selected from wedges, feet, pads, springs, blades, staples. 5. handling assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding means (4) are connecting means attached to at least one of the support modules (1,2) and adapted to the connection of said at least one module support (1, 2) to the crossmember (s) (3) and to the sliding of the crossmember (s) (3) relative to the at least one R ₁ Bre \ ets \ 25500 \ 25597-060803-Text_offer doc- August 3, 2006 support module (1,2), on the one hand in the direction of the sleepers (3), and on the other hand in the direction perpendicular to the plate (6) of said at least one support module (1,2). ). 6. handling assembly according to claim 5, wherein the connecting means are provided with return means (7). 7. Handling assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the connecting means are located in the vicinity of one of the edges of the plate (6) of the support module (1,2) to which they are attached. 8. Handling assembly according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the or sleepers (3) are slats, optionally bevelled. 9. Handling assembly according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each support module (1,2) comprises from 2 to 8, preferably from 4 to 6, raising means (5). 10. Handling assembly according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the raising means (5) are blocks extending parallel to the or sleepers (3). 11. handling assembly according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the raising means (5) are sets of conical studs (8) hollow. 12. Handling assembly according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the modules of R Bre \ ets \ 25500 \ 25597-060803-Text filing doc- August 3, 2006 support (1,2) comprises two end support modules (1) and at least one central support module (2). 13. Handling assembly according to claim 12, wherein the plates (6) of the support modules, extremes (1) have a double surface relative to that of the plates (6) of the central support modules (2). 14. Handling assembly according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the raising means (5) are provided with a strapping notch (16). 15. Use of a handling assembly according to one of claims 1 to 14 for transporting articles (17). 16. Use according to claim 15, wherein the articles (17) are gypsum board. 17. Use according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the handling assembly is moved by means of a mechanical or electrical device provided with lifting arm (18). 18. Use according to one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the lifting arms (18) are inserted perpendicularly to the or sleepers (3). 19. Use according to one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the lifting arms (18) fit under the or sleepers (3) and allow to lift the handling assembly R * Brcvets \ 25500 \ 25597-060803-Text filing doc- August 3, 2006 by contact between the lift arms (18) and the crossmember (s) (3). 20. Use according to one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the lifting arms (18) fit between the sleepers (3) and the articles (17) and allow to lift the articles (17) by contact between the lifting arms (18) and the articles (17). 21. Use according to one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the lifting arms (18) fit parallel to the sleeper (s) (3) and allow to lift the handling assembly by contact between the lifting arms (3) and the trays (6) of the support modules (1,2). R ¹ Patents \ 25500 \ 25597 ~ 060803-Text filing doc- August 3, 2006