FR2955839A1 - Device for coupling two load supporting sub-elements during transporting goods, has female part provided with housing, so that device occupies separated configuration in which connection element is placed outside housing - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a male part provided with housing that is provided with a connection element (10) e.g. circular bar, movable in translation with respect to the housing. A female part is provided with housing, so that the device occupies a coupling configuration in which the connection element is partially positioned in each of the two housings, and a separated configuration in which the connection element is placed outside the housing of the female part. A locking unit locks the connection element in each of the two housings in the coupling configuration. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) load supporting sub-elements (2) a method for transporting goods.

Description

The present invention relates to a coupling device for coupling or assembling and then separating or disassembling at least two major load bearing sub-elements. It also relates to a load-bearing element as such composed of several sub-elements coupled by such a coupling device, particularly adapted to support a maximum load of at least one ton. Finally, it also relates to a method of transporting goods from a place of manufacture or first storage to a place of sale or second storage.

It is known to transport large loads, in the field of freight transport, by means of wooden pallets, the format is standardized. Such pallets can withstand high maximum loads of more than one ton. In many situations, these pallets are used for loading and transporting goods to a final store. At this final store, the goods are handled, especially for their storage and shelving, through half-pallets to handle loads less heavy and cumbersome. To implement this principle of freight transport, it is known to juxtapose two half-pallets on a larger pallet called "parent pallet". During transport, the goods are handled via the parent pallet. After delivery to their final destination, a point of sale for example, each load of a parent pallet is divided in half and handled through the half pallets, the pallet mother becomes useless and returned to the supplier. This method has the disadvantage of requiring the use of a pallet mother and two half-pallets, whose meeting is substantially equivalent to the parent pallet. This amounts to splitting the number of support elements for each transport. In addition, upon delivery of the goods, the parent pallet becomes useless and must be returned or stored, which represents a complexity in the overall management of the transport process and significant costs.

Thus, the object of the invention is to provide a simplified solution for transporting goods, not having all or part of the above disadvantages.

For this purpose, the invention is based on a device for coupling two load bearing sub-elements, characterized in that it comprises: a male part comprising a first housing comprising a connecting element movable in translation with respect to this first housing and - a female part comprising a second housing, so that the coupling device can occupy a coupling configuration in which the connecting element is at least partially positioned in each of the two housing, and a configuration in which he is outside the second dwelling.

The coupling device of two load bearing sub-elements may comprise means for locking the connecting element in each of the two housings in the coupling configuration and may comprise unlocking means.

The connecting element can be rotatably mounted within the two housings for the implementation of its locking / unlocking, the housing and the connecting element comprising a set of lugs and notches to implement the locking.

The unlocking means may comprise a handle or a wheel and an arm whose one end cooperates with one end of the connecting element in the coupling configuration, the rotation of the handle or wheel being able to cause the release of the connecting element to unlock it. The handle can be further mounted movable in translation relative to the connecting arm to allow it to escape or not to a safety pin preventing rotation in the coupling configuration.

The coupling device may have an elastic means extending between on the one hand the connecting element and on the other hand the first housing, forming a return means of the connecting element within the first housing towards the separate configuration. At least one of the two housings may be in the form of a tube in which the connecting element moves in translation. The first housing may be in the form of a tube comprising an abutment acting as a means of locking the connecting element in the coupling configuration by preventing any translation movement and / or the second housing can in the form of a tube comprising an abutment serving as a locking means for the connecting element in the coupling configuration by preventing any translational movement. The connecting element may be in the form of a flat iron, comprising at least one part embossed to implement its locking.

The invention also relates to a load support sub-element characterized in that it comprises at least one male or female part of a coupling device as described above. The load support sub-element may be a half-pallet.

The invention also relates to a load-bearing element, characterized in that it comprises at least two load-bearing sub-elements respectively comprising a male part and a female part of a coupling device as described above.

The load-supporting member may comprise two load bearing sub-members each comprising at least one female part and a male part of a coupling device, so that they can be coupled by positioning in the coupling configuration of the coupling members. minus two coupling devices as described above. Finally, the invention also relates to a method of transporting goods, comprising the following essential steps: - handling of a cargo support element supporting goods and composed of several load bearing sub-elements coupled by a coupling device as previously described; separating at least two load bearing sub-elements from the load-bearing element for their independent handling, each load-bearing sub-element supporting part of the goods.

These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment made in a non-limiting manner in relation to the appended figures among which:

FIG. 1 represents a view of a pallet according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 represents an enlarged view of the pallet according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 represents a perspective view of a connecting bar of the coupling device according to the embodiment of FIG. invention.

FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of a first tube of the coupling device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 shows a side view of the first tube of the coupling device according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 represents a view of a section A-A of the first tube of the coupling device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a top view of the first tube of the coupling device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a second tube of the coupling device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 shows a side view of the second tube of the coupling device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 shows a front view of the second tube of the coupling device according to the embodiment of the invention. Figure 11 shows a top view of the second tube of the coupling device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Figures 12 and 13 show respectively a side view and a top view of the coupling device before a coupling phase according to the embodiment of the invention. Figures 14 and 15 show respectively a side and a top view of the coupling device during a coupling phase according to the embodiment of the invention. Figures 16 and 17 respectively show a side view and top of the coupling device after coupling and locking according to the embodiment of the invention.

Figures 18 and 19 show respectively a side and a top view of the coupling device after coupling and locking according to the embodiment of the invention.

Figure 20 shows a side view of an unlocking device 15 of the coupling device according to the embodiment of the invention.

21 show a front view of the unlocking device of the coupling device according to the embodiment of the invention.

Figure 22 shows an alternative embodiment of the coupling device according to the embodiment of the invention.

The concept of the invention is based on a load-bearing member comprising at least two load bearing sub-members and a coupling device of which a male part and a female part are respectively positioned on each sub-element, allowing the mating or separating the two sub-elements. In a coupled configuration, the two sub-elements become integral, form a single load-bearing element, which can be handled as a single larger-sized entity. This joining remains however reversible and the two sub-elements can be separated to reach a disassembled configuration in which each sub-element is independent and serves as a support for a load less important than the initial total load. The load-bearing member of the invention is provided for the handling of goods, their transport and storage, and includes a structure capable of supporting a large maximum load, preferably at least one ton. In particular, the invention is particularly suitable for implementation on a pallet with standard properties, of substantially rectangular shape, whose width and length are greater than or equal to 0.5 meters, and which may have a rectangular dimension of 1 meter by 1 , 20 meters.

The invention will be described, as illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2, with the aid of a coupling device studied for a combination of two support sub-elements 1, 2, each bearing a load 3, 4, representing two half-pallets, which can form a single load-bearing element whose format and properties correspond to a standardized pallet. However, the concept of the invention can naturally be adapted to load bearing elements and sub-elements of different formats. In the coupling configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2, the two half-pallets are interconnected by two connecting elements 10 according to this embodiment. As a variant, any other number of connecting elements can be envisaged.

Figure 3 shows the connecting element 10 in the vertical position of the coupling device according to the embodiment of the invention. It is in the form of a flat iron comprising a first end 11 intended to remain positioned within the male part of the coupling device and a second end 12 intended to come within the female part of the coupling device. in a coupling phase. The flat iron further comprises two rectangular stamped portions, a first 13 in the vicinity of its first end 11 and a second 14 in the vicinity of its second end 12. The first end 11 has a fork shape to facilitate handling and the second end 12 has a rectangular shape to cooperate with a locking mechanism, as will be explained later. Alternatively, the connecting element 10 may have other shapes, being in any other rigid material, preferably metal, or plastic. Its structure will be adapted to withstand the significant forces incurred during the support of a load.

According to the embodiment of the invention, the connecting element 10 is for a housing within a first tube 20 forming a first housing, shown in Figures 4 to 7. This first tube 20 is presented in the shape of a hollow metal cylinder having on its surface a stop 21 which fills a first hooking function of the flat iron and a second locking function, which will be explained later. This assembly formed by the connecting element 10 integrated in the first tube 20 forms a male part of the coupling device.

Then, the coupling device comprises a second tube 30, shown in Figures 8 to 11, which shows a female part of the coupling device. This second tube 30 is in the form of a hollow metal cylinder having on its surface a stop 31 which performs a locking function of the connecting element 10 in a coupled configuration of the coupling device.

The male and female parts of the coupling device are each intended for attachment to one of the two half-pallets 1, 2 may be joined to form a single pallet. This fixing can be done by any means. The tubes 20, 30 may be distinct from the half-pallets, as illustrated by the embodiment of the invention, and fixed by any means on these half-pallets or alternatively be directly integrated in an inseparable manner in the structure even half-pallets.

The operation of the coupling device will now be explained, with reference to FIGS. 12 to 19, in which the two half-pallets are not shown for the sake of clarity of the figures.

Figures 12 and 13 show the coupling device in unassembled configuration. The connecting element 10 is fixed movably in translation and rotation within the first tube 20, a connecting end 22, which we will also call the front end, is approached vis-à-vis a connecting end 32 corresponding to the second tube 30, which we will also call the front end of the second tube 30. The connecting element 10 is connected to the first tube 20 by an elastic means, not shown, which may be an English-loop tension spring, of which a first end is fixed on the connecting element 10 at a connection point 15 and a second end is fixed on the first tube 20 at its abutment 21. This elastic means performs a return function of the connecting element 10, as will be explained later.

This elastic means may be a tensioner comprising a hook crimped on the tensioner at at least one of its ends, for its attachment for example in an opening in the tube.

In the unassembled configuration of FIGS. 12 and 13, the connecting element 10 extends over substantially the entire length of the first tube 20, in a horizontal position, its anterior end 12 being close to the connecting end 22 of the first tube 20, while its rear end 11 is towards its rear end 23. The latter is open and allows access to a tool 50 which cooperates and act on the connecting element 10 at its rear end 11. The second tube 30 remains independent and decoupled. Its rear end 33 comprises a locking means 40 whose operation will be explained later.

Figures 14 and 15 illustrate an intermediate phase of an operation of coupling the two male and female parts of the coupling device. For this, the tool 50, which can belong to an automatic machine which sets it in motion with the aid of one or more motor (s) and jack (s), cooperates with the end 11 of the element of link 10 and exerts a thrust force to induce its translation within the first tube 20, against the biasing force exerted by the elastic means. The tool 50 thus partially enters the first tube 20 through its rear opening 23, to continue the translation of the connecting member 10 to allow it to penetrate into the second tube 30. This translation is extended to that the connecting element 10 is located within each tube 20, 30, in a position where the two stamped portions 13, 14, of the connecting element 10 are respectively at the abutments 21, 31 of the two In this final position, the connecting element thus penetrates into about half the length of the second tube 30. It has a substantially equivalent length in each tube.

At the end of translation, the tool 50 rotates the connecting element 10 a quarter of a turn within the two tubes 20, 30, for example with the aid of a rotary jack, so as to arrive in a locked final coupling configuration, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, in which the connecting element 10 occupies a vertical position, its pressed portions 13, 14 being oriented upwards. In this configuration, the abutment 31 of the second tube 30, which has a protruding part penetrating inside this tube 30, penetrates within the pressed part 14 of the connecting element 10, guaranteeing the joining of the two elements. 10, 30 by preventing any respective translational movement. Similarly, the abutment 21 of the first tube 20, which also has a protruding part penetrating inside this tube 20, penetrates within the rear-stamped portion 13 of the connecting element 10, thus ensuring the joining together of these two elements 10, 20. By this means, the two tubes 20, 30, as well as the two sub-elements 1, 2 of which they are respectively integral, are found fixed to one another by means of the connecting element 10, their separation being made impossible. In this locked attachment of the final coupling configuration, the tool 50 can be moved away, releasing the rear end 11 of the connecting element 10. Naturally, the locking of the connecting element 10 with the tubes 20, 30 may be implemented by other means, for example by any combination of lugs and notches made by stamping on the tubes and / or the connecting element.

Figures 18 and 19 show a separation phase of the two male and female parts of the coupling device. For this, the unlocking device 40 is actuated by a user for the rotation of a handle 41 provided at its end. According to the embodiment chosen, the rotation of a quarter of a turn of the handle 41 allows the release of the grip of the connecting element 10 of the stops 21, 31 respectively of the two tubes 20, 30. The connecting element 10 and unlocked is automatically recalled to its initial position of the unassembled configuration under the effect of the elastic means fixed at point 15 of the connecting element 10. This elastic means can be obtained by any means so that its stretching induced by the translation of the connecting element 10 between its initial rest position and the coupling configuration allows it to exert a sufficient return force to bring the connecting element into the rest position within the first tube when unlocked. The connecting element 10 then returns to its initial position and completely releases the second tube 30 and more precisely the sub-element on which it is positioned, which can be handled independently. FIGS. 20 and 21 show the locking device 40 according to the embodiment of the invention. It comprises a handle 41 and a connecting arm 44 of smaller diameter than the second tube 30 so as to be housed inside this second tube. The handle is movable in translation relative to the connecting arm 44 and returned to its initial position, shown in FIG. 20, by a return spring 45 in fixed support on the connecting arm 44 on a first end and connected to the handle 41 on its second end. A pin 46, connected to the second tube 30 or to the half-pallet on which this female part of the coupling device is mounted, passes through a groove of the handle, not shown, to prevent its rotation in the rest configuration. It thus prevents any accidental unlocking of the coupling device. The end 42 of the connecting arm 44 has a rectangular female connection corresponding to the end 12 of the connecting element 10. The connecting arm 44 has a length such that this end 12 of the connecting element 10 is located housed within the female part of the end 42 of the connecting arm 44 in coupling configuration. To unlock the coupling device, it is necessary to translate the handle 41 to escape the pin 46, to be able to rotate in a second time, rotation which causes the rotation of the link arm 44 whose end 42 allows the rotation of the connecting element 10 and its release, as explained previously. The spring 45 then recalls the handle 41 in its initial position in translation. Alternatively, the locking device may comprise a serrated control wheel rather than a handle. Alternatively, the locking mechanism can be obtained equivalently by a connecting member 10 fixed in rotation and by a rotation of the second tube 30 and / or the first tube 20.

Of course, the coupling device described above can have many variants without departing from the concept of the invention.

In particular, it can be in the form of several male and / or female parts linked together. FIG. 22 represents such a variant, in which each part of the coupling device comprises a male part comprising a connecting element 10 and a female part, linked together by transverse bars 60. This symmetrical scheme has the advantage of allowing to any half-pallet to be coupled with all other half-pallets, while ensuring rigid and stable connection. Alternatively, another solution could be to simply use two coupling devices as described previously by pallet, in a pattern finally equivalent to that of Figure 22, removing the connecting bars 60. According to another variant, any other number of connecting elements 10, possibly greater than 2, could be used.

In addition, the various components of the coupling device could alternatively have other shapes. The connecting element 10 could have a shape other than that of a flat iron of rectangular section, for example a bar of circular section, elliptical or ovoid. The locking means of the connecting element may have other shapes than the stamped parts shown, and in different numbers. The housings receiving the connecting element could also be presented differently than in the form of cylindrical tubes, and in different materials, metal, plastic, etc. They may have other non-circular sections, and may be discontinuous, for example as an alignment of rings fixed on a half-pallet or formed directly in the structure of the half-pallet. The two housings of the same coupling device may have the same shape, be identical, or on the contrary be different. The connecting element may have other races than the one shown, and for example a lower translation within the female part of the coupling device.

In addition, the unlocking means has been represented in the form of a handle that can be manipulated manually by an operator. Alternatively, it could have any other form, possibly manipulated in an automated manner by a machine provided for this purpose.

In addition, the concept of the invention has been presented as adapting to two half-pallets to form a pallet with standardized dimensions. However, it remains suitable for implementation on other types of pallets, for example in other materials such as plastic, preferably recycled and / or recyclable, or metal, to withstand higher loads. Alternatively, it could be implemented to allow the coupling of more than two sub-elements. For this, a sub-element could have male and / or female parts of coupling devices on several sides, allowing the cumulative coupling of different other sub-elements supports on several sides. In addition, the same principle can be used to support something other than goods, for example to mount a scaffolding or a tent.

The invention also relates to a method of transporting goods, comprising the following essential steps: - handling of a goods carrier arranged on a load-bearing element composed of a plurality of load-bearing subassemblies coupled by a device coupling of the invention; separating at least two load-bearing subassemblies for their independent handling.

In the preliminary phase, there may be a step of coupling load bearing sub-elements. This coupling operation can be performed by an automatic conveyor, which positions the sub-elements 30 vis-à-vis and acts on a tool 50 as previously explained to perform the coupling. This operation can be fully automated and performed at high speed. In a symmetrical way, the separation of the sub-elements can also be automated. Alternatively, a small portable machine could be used to perform this operation anywhere.

Thus, the solution described finally has the following advantages: it eliminates the use of the parent pallet of the state of the art, which reduces the size and cost of the load-bearing element , and simplifies the whole process of transporting goods; - It is compatible with existing pallets, allows its addition to existing half-pallets to transform them into half-pallets that can be assembled.

Claims (14)

1. coupling device of two sub-elements load supports, characterized in that it comprises: a male part comprising a first housing comprising a connecting element (10) movable in translation relative to this first housing; and - a female part comprising a second housing, so that the coupling device can occupy a coupling configuration in which the connecting element (10) is at least partially positioned in each of the two housings, and a configuration in which he is outside the second dwelling. 2. Device for coupling two sub-elements load supports according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a locking means of the connecting element (10) in each of the two housings in the coupling configuration and in that it comprises unlocking means (40). 3. Device for coupling two sub-elements load supports according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the connecting element (10) is rotatably mounted within the two housing for the implementation of its locking / unlocking, the housing and the connecting element (10) comprising a set of lugs and notches to implement the locking. 4. Device for coupling two sub-elements load supports according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the unlocking means (40) comprises a handle (41) or a wheel and an arm (44) having one end (42) cooperates with an end (12) of the connecting element (10) in the coupling configuration, the rotation of the handle (41) or the wheel being able to cause the release of the connecting element ( 10) to unlock it. 5. Device for coupling two sub-elements load supports according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the handle (41) is further mounted movable in translation relative to the connecting arm (44) to allow it to escape or not to a safety pin (46) preventing rotation in the coupling configuration. 6. Device for coupling two sub-elements load supports according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an elastic means extending between on the one hand the connecting element (10) and d on the other hand the first housing, forming a return means of the connecting element (10) within the first housing to the separate configuration. 7. Device for coupling two sub-elements load supports according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the two housing is in the form of a tube (20; 30) in which moves in translation the connecting element (10). 8. Device for coupling two sub-elements load supports according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first housing is in the form of a tube (20) comprising a stop (21) fulfilling a function of means of locking the connecting element (10) in the coupling configuration by preventing any translation movement and / or in that the second housing is in the form of a tube (30) comprising a stop (31) acting as a means for locking the connecting element (10) in the coupling configuration by preventing any translational movement. 9. Device for coupling two sub-elements load supports according to one of claims 3 to 8 in their dependence on claim 2, characterized in that the connecting element (10) is in the form of a flat iron, comprising at least one stamped part (13; 14) to implement its locking. 10. Support sub-element characterized in that it comprises at least a male or female part of a coupling device according to one of the preceding claims. 11. Sub-element load support according to the preceding claim characterized in that it is a half-pallet. 12. Load support element, characterized in that it comprises at least two load bearing sub-elements respectively comprising a male part and a female part of a coupling device according to one of claims 1 to 9. 13. load bearing element according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises two load bearing sub-elements each comprising at least one female part and a male part of a coupling device according to one of claims 1 to 9, so that it can be coupled by positioning in coupling configuration of the at least two coupling devices according to one of claims 1 to 9. 14. A method of transporting goods, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: -handling of a load-bearing support element supporting goods and composed of several sub-elements support discharges coupled by a coupling device according to the one of claims 1 to 9; separating at least two load bearing sub-elements from the load-bearing element for their independent handling, each load-bearing sub-element supporting part of the goods.