FR3114312A1 - Accessory for pallet truck - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an accessory (100) for a pallet truck (400), allowing the tilting of a tank (300) on a pallet (200), comprising: - a lower frame (120) and an upper frame (110), articulated , - the lower frame (120) comprising a U-shaped plate (121), supported by side members (122), between which the fork of the pallet truck (400) can be inserted, - the upper frame (110) comprising a U-shaped plate (111), supported by beams (112), and configured such that the lower frame (120) can be inserted therein, - a set of pivots (130), arranged at one end of the beams ( 112, 122), - a cylinder (150), opposite the pivots (130), one end of which is fixed to the upper frame (110) and the other to the lower frame (120), - the plate (111, 121) and the beams (112, 122) being configured to be inserted into the pallet (200). Figure for abstract: Fig. 10

Description

Accessory for pallet truck

Field of invention

The present invention relates to the field of handling tanks, in particular so-called “IBC” tanks for Intermediate Bulk Container in English, or “GRV” for Large Container for Bulk in French.

Whether for storage, transport or handling, the tanks are generally placed on pallets.

There are several types of pallets, each type corresponding to a material, for example plastic or stainless steel, or even wood, of which there are several qualities of wood or several numbers of boards used.

Whatever its type, a pallet comprises an upper face, intended to receive a load, for example a tank, and, for a wooden pallet, consisting of a set of planks which are parallel to each other and coplanar. It also includes a lower face, made up of a set of planks parallel to each other and coplanar, and the number of which is less than or equal to the number of planks of the upper face.

A pallet also includes a set of dice, for a wooden pallet usually made of chipboard or solid wood, usually 9 in number in three rows of three dice, and which connect the upper side boards to the lower side boards, the more often by nailing.

The free space between the dice makes it possible to insert the branches of a fork of a pallet truck, which can thus rest under the boards of the upper face to lift the pallet.

A pallet truck is a standard tool for handling heavy loads, of which there are several variants, including electric or hydraulic.

Whatever the type of pallet truck, within the meaning of the present invention, it is considered that a pallet truck comprises a fork with two arms. Generally a cross section of the arms of the fork is rectangular.

In handling, each arm of the fork of a pallet truck is inserted between two neighboring rows of dice. The fork can be lifted by operating a cylinder. When it is in abutment under the upper face boards of the pallet, the fork can thus lift the pallet in a vertical movement up and down.

However, certain loads, in particular IBC or IBC tanks, require not only being able to be lifted flat, but also being able to be tilted, in order to facilitate their flow, emptying and cleaning.

A standard pallet truck only allows vertical movement of the pallets, therefore not their tilting.

To this end, a certain number of specific devices, known as tank tilters or drum tilters, have been proposed. For example, the document CN110562884 is known.

However, the solutions known to the applicant are either too specific or integrated into a forklift or a pallet truck, which is not satisfactory.

The present invention overcomes these drawbacks.

More specifically, the invention relates to an accessory (100) for a pallet truck (400) comprising a fork, allowing the tilting of a tank (300) placed on a pallet (200) comprising a set of boards and a set of dice aligned in rows.

It is essentially characterized in that it includes:

• a lower frame (120) and an upper frame (110), hinged relative to the lower frame (120),
• the lower frame (120) comprising a U-shaped plate (121), comprising a lower face and an upper face, each branch of the U being supported by a respective pair of beams (122), and configured such as the fork of the pallet truck (400) can be inserted into the space created between the side members (122) and the underside of the plate (121),
• the upper frame (110) being configured to provide contact between the accessory (100) and the pallet (200); the upper frame (110) comprising a U-shaped plate (111), comprising a lower face and an upper face, each leg of the U being supported by a respective pair of side members (112), and configured such that the lower frame ( 120) can be inserted into the upper frame (110),
• a set of pivots (130), arranged at one end of the longitudinal members (112) of the upper frame (110) and of the longitudinal members (122) of the lower frame (120),
• a cylinder (150), arranged opposite the set of pivots (130), comprising a first end and a second end, opposite the first; one end being integral with the upper frame (110) and the other end being integral with the lower frame (120), to allow the articulation of the upper frame (110) with respect to the lower frame (120),
• the plate (121) and the longitudinal members (122) of the lower frame (120), as well as the plate (111) and the longitudinal members (112) of the upper frame (110) being configured to be inserted between two neighboring rows of dice of the pallet (200).

At least one of:

- the side members (112) of the upper frame (110) and

- the side members (122) of the lower frame (120)

comprises a retractable flap (140), which can selectively adopt an open position and a closed position, the closed position serving as an abutment.

Provision can be made for the retractable flap (140) to be held in the open position or the closed position by means of a pin or an indexing pin.

Provision can be made for the jack (150) to be a manual jack.

It can be provided that the actuator (150) is a two-way actuator.

A hydraulic device can be provided for actuating the cylinder (150), the hydraulic device comprising:

• a double-acting manual pump,
• hoses to hydraulically connect the double-acting manual pump and the piston (150),
• a two-way balancing valve, which allows the piston (150) to be locked in position; and which allows the adjustment of the lifting capacity of the cylinder and the hydraulic pressure; And
• a simple balancing valve, preventing the cylinder (150) from lowering, even in the event of hose breakage or impact on the two-way balancing valve.

.

Provision can be made for the stroke of the piston (150) to modify the angle of inclination of the upper frame relative to the lower frame according to an angle between 0° and 25°, and preferably between 0° and 12.5 °.

Provision can be made for the stroke of said piston (150) to be continuous, without stages.

It is possible to provide a part (114) in the shape of an inverted T, comprising a horizontal bar and a vertical bar, the horizontal bar being fixed at least to the plate (111) of the upper frame (110) and extending over the width of the the plate (111) of the upper frame (110), the vertical bar comprising one end secured to the horizontal bar and an opposite end, serving as a point of attachment to one end of the said piston (150), the said end of the said cylinder (150) being rotatably mounted in the part (114) in the shape of an inverted T.

Provision can be made for each spar (112) of the upper frame (110) to comprise a proximal end, through which the fork of the pallet truck (400) is inserted under the lower frame (120) and a distal end, opposite the proximal end; the accessory (100) comprising a set of stops (113), arranged at the distal end of each spar (112) of the upper frame (110) and in their extension, of tapered shape, serving as a guide to facilitate insertion of the accessory (100) in the pallet (200).

Thanks to the invention, the tilting of the tanks is done directly on the pallet truck.

The tipping action and the angle of inclination are chosen by the user, via a manual hydraulic system independent of that of the pallet truck.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended figures.

Description of the drawings

illustrates a system comprising an accessory according to the invention,

illustrates Figure 1 in exploded view,

illustrates an accessory according to the invention in a 3/4 view, from above,

illustrates an accessory according to the invention in 3/4 view, from a low angle,

illustrates an accessory according to the invention in side view,

illustrates an accessory according to the invention in top view,

illustrates an accessory according to the invention in a 3/4 view, from above,

illustrates an accessory according to the invention in bottom view,

illustrates an accessory according to the invention in partial and exploded view,

illustrates an accessory according to the invention.

detailed description

Figure 1 illustrates an accessory 100 according to the invention in operational configuration, that is to say with a pallet truck 400 and a pallet 200 on which a tank 300 is placed. An exploded view of this arrangement is shown in Figure 2.

As described below, the accessory 100 allows the tank 300 to be tilted. In any event, a tank 300 can be tilted whether it is placed on a pallet 200. In practice, however, a tank 300 is almost always placed a pallet 200 for tilting it, because this also allows the tank 300 to be transported.

For a tank 300 to be able to be tilted, it must be held on a base, said base being tiltable. These two functions of holding and tilting are ensured by the accessory 100 according to the invention described in detail below.

The accessory 100, illustrated in particular in Figure 3, comprises a lower frame 120 and an upper frame 110, articulated with respect to the lower frame 120.

The 120 lower frame ensures contact between the 100 accessory and the fork of a 400 pallet truck.

The lower frame 120, see in particular Figure 4, comprises a plate 121, in this case U-shaped, each branch of the U being supported by a respective pair of beams 122, see Figure 8, of length substantially equal to that of the branches of the U, and of height such that a pallet truck fork 400 can be inserted into the space created between the beams and the underside of the plate. Preferably, the spacing between the two rails of a branch of the lower frame 120 is slightly greater than the width of an arm 410 of a fork of a pallet truck 400, which allows it to be inserted there and maintained against any lateral movement of the pallet 200.

Preferably, at least one of:

• the spacing between two beams 122 of the same pair, and
• the spacing between the two pairs of beams 122,

is adjustable.

Thanks to the configuration of the lower frame 120, the fork of a pallet truck 400 can come into abutment 113 against the underside of the plate and thus allow, if necessary, to transport the accessory 100 on which are placed a pallet 200 and possibly a tank 300.

The upper frame 110, see for example figure 6, makes it possible to ensure contact between the accessory 100 and a pallet 200.

The upper frame 110 comprises a plate 111, in this case U-shaped, each branch of the U being supported by two respective beams, of length substantially equal to that of the branches of the U. The dimensions of the plate and the beams 112 of the upper frame 110 are slightly higher than those of the plate and side members 122 of the lower frame 120, so that the lower frame 120 can fit into the upper frame 110.

The articulation between the lower frame 120 and the upper frame 110 ensures the tilting of the pallet 200. The articulation can be implemented by any means. In this case, a set of simple pivots 130 is provided, arranged at one end of the longitudinal members 112 of the upper frame 110 and of the longitudinal members 122 of the lower frame 120, see for example FIG. 9. In this case the simple pivots 130 are arranged at the distal end of the accessory, the proximal end being that by which the fork of a pallet truck 400 is inserted under the lower frame 120.

In the illustrated embodiment, the simple pivots 130 comprise a transverse bar 132, cylindrical, transverse to the longitudinal members 122 of the lower frame 120. The transverse bar 132 protrudes outwards from the longitudinal members so as to form a lug 133.

The longitudinal members 112 of the upper frame 110 comprise a circular recess 131 whose position coincides with the position of the lugs 133 of the longitudinal members 122 of the lower frame 120. Each lug 133 is inserted into a respective circular recess 131 to allow rotation of the upper frame 110 compared to the lower frame 120.

The lower frame 120 is configured to locally match the shape of the branches of a fork of a pallet truck 400. These having a rectangular shape in cross section, the plate 112 of the lower frame 120 is horizontal and the side members 122 of the lower frame 120 are vertical. Thus a cross section of the lower frame 120 has an inverted U shape. Likewise for a cross section of the upper frame 110.

Preferably, the accessory 100 also comprises a set of flaps 140. In this case, one flap 140 is provided for each branch of the U of the plate 111 of the upper frame 110. As illustrated in the figures, the flaps 140 are positioned at the distal end of the branches of the U of the plate 111 of the upper frame 110.

The flaps 140, mounted in rotation, make it possible to block the tank 300 during its tilting against any sliding along the arms of the plate 111 of the upper frame 110. For this purpose, each flap 140 can selectively adopt an open position and a position closed, in which it can be maintained. Maintaining in one or other of the positions can be done using a pin or, in this case, using an indexing pin. In this case, in the open position, the shutter is parallel, preferably coplanar, with the plane of the plate 111 of the upper frame 110; and in the closed position, the flap intersects, preferably at an angle of 90°, with the plane of the plate 111 of the upper frame 110.

It is also possible to provide a set of stops 113, in this case at the distal end of each spar 112 of the upper frame 110 and in their extension. These stops, of tapered shape, serve as a guide to facilitate insertion into the pallet 200. In addition, they are fixing points for the pivots of the flaps 140 and indexing fingers which block the horizontal or vertical position of the flaps 140 .

The accessory 100 also includes a cylinder 150. The cylinder 150 includes a first end and a second end, opposite the first. One end is secured to the upper frame 110 and the other end is secured to the lower frame 120.

The cylinder 150 is mounted for rotation at each of its ends, in this case by simple pivots 130, like the flaps 140, as illustrated in Figure 7 or Figure 10.

In this case, the plate 112 of the lower frame 120 comprises a pair of vertical uprights each comprising a recess, into which is inserted a respective lug 133 of the end of the cylinder 150.

Similarly, the plate 111 of the upper frame 110 comprises a pair of vertical uprights each comprising a recess, into which is inserted a respective lug 133 of the end of the cylinder 150. In this case, the pair of vertical uprights of the plate 111 of the upper frame 110 are the uprights of an inverted T-shaped piece 114, which comprises a horizontal bar and a vertical bar, and which is integral with at least the plate 111 of the upper frame 110.

The horizontal bar of the inverted T 114 extends over the width of the plate 111 of the upper frame 110. Preferably, the horizontal bar of the inverted T 114 extends over the entire width of the plate 111 of the upper frame 110, since it absorbs the mechanical forces when the cylinder 150 is actuated. It is for example welded to the plate 111 of the upper frame 110, preferably with continuous welding over the entire contact surface. It is also possible to provide a set of screws which crosses the horizontal bar of the inverted T 114 and which are screwed into the longitudinal members 112 of the upper frame 110.

The vertical bar of the inverted T-shaped part 114 comprises one end secured to the horizontal bar and an opposite end, serving as a point of attachment to one end of the piston 150, said end of the cylinder 150 being rotatably mounted in the part. 114 inverted T-shape; the other end of the cylinder 150 being secured to the plate 121 of the lower frame 120, as illustrated for example in Figure 10.

Preferably, the jack 150 is a manual jack 150. It can be operated independently of the actuation of the cylinder of the 400 pallet truck.

The cylinder 150 comprises a piston whose stroke makes it possible to modify the angle of inclination between the plate 111 of the upper frame 110 and the plate 112 of the lower frame 120, see for example Figure 5.

The accessory 100 according to the invention can thus selectively adopt at least one rest position and one tilting position.

Typically, in the rest position, the angle of inclination between the plate 111 of the upper frame 110 and the plate 112 of the lower frame 120 is 0° (or a value close to 0°); and in the tilting position, the angle of inclination is between 0° and 25°, and preferably between 0° and 12.5°.

Advantageously, the angle of inclination is variable and this variation is continuous, without stages. It is thus possible to very precisely adjust the tilting angle of the tank 300, and to maintain it in the tilting position.

Preferably, for the passage from a tilting position to a rest position, the piston is not released but it is actuated, which improves the safety of the accessory 100. For this purpose, a jack 150 is provided. operated by a two-way pump, also called double-acting.

Preferably, cylinder 150 is a hydraulic cylinder. It is actuated by a hydraulic device comprising

- a double-acting manual pump, and

- a two-way balancing valve (not shown) which provides security against any leaks in the hydraulic circuit, locking the piston 150 in position; and which also allows the adjustment of the lifting capacity of the cylinder, and the hydraulic pressure;

- a simple balancing valve (not shown), mounted directly on cylinder 150 on the thrust side, acting as a second safety device and preventing the assembly from lowering in any case, even in the event of breakage of the hoses directly connected to the cylinder 150 or shock on the first valve.

The balancing valve thus constitutes a non-return security preventing a rapid approach of the upper frame 110 to the lower frame 120.

Thanks to the invention, the accessory 100 is passive, it does not need electrical energy to operate. It is also advantageously autonomous, independent of the pallet truck 400. The same accessory 100 can therefore be used for several pallet trucks 400.

Nomenclature

100 Accessory for pallet truck

110 Upper frame

111 Upper frame plate

112 Upper frame side member

113 stopper

114 piece inverted T shape

120 Undercarriage

121 Bottom frame plate

122 Lower frame side member

130 single pivots

131 circular recess

132 crossbar

133 ergot

140 Stream

150 ram

200 pallet

300 tank

400 pallet truck

410 pallet truck arms

Claims (10)

Accessory (100) for pallet truck (400) comprising a fork, allowing the tilting of a tank (300) placed on a pallet (200) comprising a set of boards and a set of dice aligned in rows, characterized in that the accessory (100) includes:

• a lower frame (120) and an upper frame (110), hinged relative to the lower frame (120),
• the lower frame (120) comprising a U-shaped plate (121), comprising a lower face and an upper face, each branch of the U being supported by a respective pair of beams (122), and configured such as the fork of the pallet truck (400) can be inserted into the space created between the side members (122) and the underside of the plate (121),
• the upper frame (110) being configured to provide contact between the accessory (100) and the pallet (200); the upper frame (110) comprising a U-shaped plate (111), comprising a lower face and an upper face, each branch of the U being supported by a respective pair of side members (112), and configured such that the lower frame ( 120) can be inserted into the upper frame (110),
• a set of pivots (130), arranged at one end of the longitudinal members (112) of the upper frame (110) and of the longitudinal members (122) of the lower frame (120),
• a jack (150), disposed opposite the set of pivots (130), comprising a first end and a second end, opposite the first; one end being secured to the upper frame (110) and the other end being secured to the lower frame (120), to allow the articulation of the upper frame (110) with respect to the lower frame (120),
• the plate (121) and the longitudinal members (122) of the lower frame (120), as well as the plate (111) and the longitudinal members (112) of the upper frame (110) being configured to be inserted between two neighboring rows of dice of the pallet (200).

2. Accessory according to claim 1, wherein at least one of:
- the side members (112) of the upper frame (110) and
- the side members (122) of the lower frame (120)
comprises a retractable flap (140), which can selectively adopt an open position and a closed position, the closed position serving as an abutment. Accessory according to Claim 2, in which the retractable flap (140) is held in the open position or the closed position by means of a pin or an indexing finger. Accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the jack (150) is a manual jack. An accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein the ram (150) is a two-way ram. Accessory according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a hydraulic device for actuating the cylinder (150), the hydraulic device comprising:

• a double-acting manual pump,
• hoses to hydraulically connect the double-acting manual pump and the piston (150),
• a two-way balancing valve, which allows the piston (150) to be locked in position; and which allows the adjustment of the lifting capacity of the cylinder and the hydraulic pressure; And
• a simple balancing valve, preventing the jack (150) from lowering, even in the event of hose breakage or impact on the two-way balancing valve.

Accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the stroke of the piston (150) makes it possible to modify the angle of inclination of the upper frame with respect to the lower frame according to an angle comprised between 0° and 25°, and to preferably between 0° and 12.5°. Accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the stroke of said piston (150) is continuous, without stages. Accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a piece (114) in the shape of an inverted T, comprising a horizontal bar and a vertical bar, the horizontal bar being secured at least to the plate (111) of the upper frame (110) and extending across the width of the plate (111) of the upper frame (110), the vertical bar comprising one end secured to the horizontal bar and an opposite end, serving as a point of attachment to one end of said piston (150) , said end of said cylinder (150) being rotatably mounted in the part (114) in the shape of an inverted T. Accessory according to any of the preceding claims, in which each spar (112) of the upper frame (110) comprises a proximal end, by which the fork of the pallet truck (400) is inserted under the lower frame (120) and a distal end , opposite the proximal end; the accessory (100) comprising a set of stops (113), arranged at the distal end of each spar (112) of the upper frame (110) and in their extension, of tapered shape, serving as a guide to facilitate insertion of the accessory (100) in the pallet (200).