MXPA00003347A - Frame rack - Google Patents

Abstract

A support rack for releasably and securely holding and separately supporting a plurality of objects. The rack has a plurality of arms each of which is constructed to support a separate object such as an automobile frame. The arms of the rack are linked together such that when an object is placed on a first arm, a second arm is moved into position to receive the next object to be loaded onto the rack. When the next object is loaded onto the second arm, a third arm is moved into position to receive the next object tobe loaded onto the rack, and so on. In addition to moving the succeeding arm into position to receive an object, when an object is loaded onto an arm a lock adjacent to the preceding arm is preferably also moved into a locking position securing the object on the preceding arm. For example, when an object is placed onto the second arm of the rack, the third arm is moved into position to receive an object as described above and a lock adjacent the first arm is simultaneously moved to its locking position to secure an object on the first arm.

Description

CHASSIS FRAME Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to a support frame and more particularly to a frame for holding multiple objects, such as automobile frames, which is specially adapted to hold these objects for transport or storage. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Racks for vehicles such as automobiles and the like are typically fabricated from steel at one site and shipped to another site for vehicle assembly. A plurality of frames are transported on pallets received on the platform of a truck or rail car. The frames are typically stacked one on top of the other with individual spacers manually positioned between adjacent frames to protect them during shipment. One or more chains are required to hold the frames to the stage and inconveniently, each frame supports the weight of each frame stacked thereon. In addition, a stack of frames loaded in this way is unstable. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION A support frame is provided to releasably and safely hold and separately support a plurality of objects. The grid has a plurality of arms each of which is constructed to hold a separate object such as a car chassis. The arms of the frame are articulated together, such that when an object is placed on a first arm, a second arm moves in position to receive the next object to be loaded on the frame. When the next object is loaded on the second arm, a third arm moves in position to receive the next object to be loaded into the frame and so on. In addition to moving the succeeding arm in position to receive an object, when an object is loaded onto an arm, a bolt adjacent to the preceding arm also preferably moves in an interlocking position holding the object in the preceding arm. For example, when an object is placed on the second arm of the frame, the third arm moves in position to receive an object as described above and a bolt adjacent to the first arm moves simultaneously to its latching position to hold an object in place. the first arm. Similarly, the frame is constructed in such a way that when objects are unloaded from the frame, the arms rotate out of the way to avoid interference with the unloading of subsequent objects and the preceding arms locks are automatically released, as the object of the adjacent arm is remove. In this way, the frame facilitates automated loading and unloading of the objects to eliminate labor and eliminates the need for individual spacers between adjacent objects. Objects, features and advantages of this invention include providing a frame for multiple objects that securely and releasably hold objects, individually hold multiple objects, facilitate automated loading and unloading of multiple objects, automatically latch and securely hold objects on the frame during load, automatically releases objects from the frame during unloading, increases the stability of a stack of objects, makes it easy to attach multiple objects to a pallet, is sturdy, durable, reliable and relatively simple in design and economical to manufacture and assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the best mode, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a side view of a plurality of automotive frames that are received in a plurality of frames incorporating the present invention, and each is received on a boarding platform; Figure 2 is a top view of the stack of chassis loaded into the frames as in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of a frame embodying the present invention; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view as in Figure 5, illustrating a single chassis loaded on the frame; and Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view as in Figure 6 illustrating two loaded chassis on the frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY With reference in more detail to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a plurality of support frames 10 mounted on a pallet 12 and that securely receive and support a plurality of automotive chassis 14a-14g for shipping or storing backstage. As illustrated in Figure 2, four support frames 10 can be employed to support the chassis 14a-14g in four different locations. Less than or more than four frames 10 may be employed depending on the particular application. Each chassis 14a-14g is supported by an arm 16a-16g of each frame 10 and is releasably held by an overlapping locking body 18a-18g to securely hold the chassis in the frame 10 during shipping or storage. As illustrated in Figure 3, each frame 10 preferably has a pair of generally parallel and spaced columns 20, which extend from a base 22 or safely direct to a boarding deck 12. As best illustrated in Figures 3- 5, each arm 16a-16g and its associated locking body 18a-18g, are pivotally transported on a pivot pin 24 that extends between the columns 20. First and second stops 26, 28 that extend between the columns 20, limit the pivoting movement of arms 16a-16g in each direction and between retracted and extended positions. Each arm 16a-16g is preferably generally L-shaped, with the pivot pin 24 being received between the ends of the arm that provide a support portion 30 on one side of the pin 24 and a drive portion 32 on the other side of the arm. pin 24. A driving link 34a-34g, preferably is fixed to the driving portion 32 of each arm 16a-16g. Each drive hinge 34a-34g has an elongated groove 36 that is formed through which defines a track in which one end of a link 38a-38f is slidably received. When an arm 16a-16g is in its extended position, the groove 36 formed in the actuator joint 34a-34g, preferably inclines at an included acute angle to a line 37 perpendicular to the columns. Conveniently, an alpha angle (Figure 7) defined between the groove 36 and this line is between 20 degrees and 60 degrees and preferably approximately 30 degrees for a more uniform operation of the frame 10, with minimal interference of movement between its components . Each of the connecting joints 38 is preferably a generally straight rod having an angled end 40, slidably received in the slot 36 in the adjacent actuator hinge with a stop 42, such as a washer or other fixed projection for retaining the angled end inside the slot 36. The other end of each connecting link 38a-38f is preferably fixed to either the driving portion of the adjacent, immediately upper arm 16 or the actuator link 34 connected to the immediately upper arm 16. The connecting links 38a-38f provide a lost motion coupling between adjacent arms 16a-16g and are constructed to provide at least some rotational movement of an arm in the event of rotational movement of an adjacent arm. As noted, a latching body 18a-18g is associated with each arm 16a-16g to releasably hold an object such as an automotive chassis 14 on the arm 16a-16g. Each locking body 18a-18g preferably has a generally outwardly extending flange 44 constructed to superimpose an upper surface of a chassis 14a-14g supported on the arm 16a-16g associated with that interlocking body., to releasably fasten the frame between the flange 44 and the support portion 30 of the arm. Each latching body 18a-18f except the latching body 18g for the uppermost arm 16g, has a U-shaped channel 46, constructed to slidably receive a connecting link 38a-38f and provide a lost motion coupling between the joint of connection and the interlock body to cause rotational movement of the interlock body, during at least part of the range of motion of the connecting joint. The locking body 18g for the uppermost arm 16g is not actuated by a connecting link and is operated independently. An inclined groove 50 in the locking body 18g, and a vertical groove 52 in the columns 20 receives a pin 54 connected to a driving rod 56 of a drive cylinder 58 such as a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. Through the drive rod 57, the drive cylinder 58 moves the pin 54 between the first and second positions in the slot 50, 52 to move the interlock body 18g between its latched and released positions. The drive cylinder 58 may have a piston 60 derived in a dropping manner by a spring 62, to bypass the locking body 18g to its locked or released position as desired. Operation As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the first stop 26 for the first (or lower) arm 16a is positioned to limit movement of the first arm 16a to its retracted position, such that at least the support portion 30 of the first arm 16a extends beyond the columns 20 when the first arm is in the retracted position. This end of the support portion 30 of the first arm 16a, extends outwardly from the columns 20 for coupling the first automotive chassis 14a, which is lowered vertically relative to the frames. As illustrated in Figure 6, when the first chassis 14a is received in the first arm 16a, the weight of the first chassis 14a rotates to the first arm 16a generally in the counterclockwise direction (as seen in Figure 6). ) with respect to its pivot point 24 until it engages its second stop 28, placing the support portion 30 of the first arm 16a in a horizontal position generally perpendicular to the columns 22. This rotation of the first arm 16a causes a corresponding rotation of the articulation drive 34a connected to first arm 16a. This movement of the actuator link 34a changes the location and orientation of its slot 36 relative to the associated linkage 38a. More specifically, the connecting link 38a will be engaged by one end of the groove 36 in the actuator link 34a and will move causing the second arm 16b to connect to the linkage 38a, and the second actuator linkage 34b connected to the second arm. 16b, to rotate generally in the counterclockwise direction with respect to its pivot point 24, to place the second arm 16b in an intermediate position between its retracted and extended positions. When in this intermediate position, one end of the support portion 30 of the second arm 16b, extends beyond the columns 22 at an angle, such that it is engaged by a second chassis 14b subsequently folded down on the frames 10.

When the second chassis 14b is lowered onto the frames 10 and in engagement with the support portion 30 to the second arm 16b, the weight of the second chassis 14b causes the second arm 16b to rotate further towards its extended position until the second arm 16b couples its second stop 28. This movement of the second arm 16b to its fully extended position causes an associated rotation of the second actuator link 34b and the second link 38b to move the third arm 16c to its intermediate position in the same position. which was described with respect to the movement of the second arm 16b to its intermediate position. Similarly, loading the subsequent chassis 14c-14g on subsequent arms 16c-16g will cause movement of the next arm (if any) in its intermediate position to receive the next chassis that is loaded into the chassis. To more firmly hold the chassis 14a-14g on the frames 10, the interlocking bodies 18a-18g move to their locked positions with a portion of their flange 44 which superimposes a portion of the associated frame 14a-14g, when the adjacent arm and Top is rotated to its fully extended position. More specifically, as illustrated in Figure 7, rotation of the second arm 16b to its fully extended position displaces the first connecting link 38a having one end connected to the second arm 16b. This displacement of the first connecting link 38a causes the first connecting link 38a to rest on the first locking body 18a from inside its channel 46 to rotate the first locking body 18a in the opposite direction to that of the hands of the clockwise with respect to its pivot point 24 and in its wedged position superimposing on a portion of the chassis 14a. In this way, when the first chassis 14a is loaded onto the frames 10, the first arm 14a moves to its extended position and the second arm moves to its intermediate position to receive the second chassis 14b to be loaded onto the frames 10. When Subsequent chassis are loaded into the frames 10, the next consecutive arm moves to its intermediate position to receive the next consecutive chassis and the interlocking body of the preceding arm is rotated into its locked position. In this way, the frames 10 facilitate the loading, one after the other, of a plurality of chassis on the racks for shipping or storage. Advantageously, the frames 10 also provide an automatically driven interlock mechanism to more firmly hold each of the chassis in its associated arm. Because the locking bodies 18a-18f are supported by movement of a successive or higher arm, the locking body 18g associated with the uppermost arm 16g in the frames 10 is not automatically rotated in place by the load of a chassis on the frame. On the contrary, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the uppermost locking body 18g is displaced by the drive cylinder 58. As the operating rod 56 retracts, the pin 54 slides downwardly in the slots 52 of the column 20 and due to the inclination of the slot 50 in the locking body 18g with respect to the slots 52 in the columns 20, causes the pin 54 to rest on the locking body 18g and generally turn it in the direction of clock hands, as seen in Figure 4 (to its locked position). To allow the uppermost frame 14g to be removed from the frames 10, the locking body 18g is rotated counterclockwise to its released position by moving the driving rod 56 to its extended position by moving the pin 54 upwards in the slot 52. As illustrated, the drive cylinder 58 can have a piston 60 slidably received and coded by a spring 62 to bypass the drive rod 56 to its retracted position and therefore, the uppermost interlocking body 18g in its locked position. The drive cylinder 58 can be driven to move the piston 60 against spring bypass and thus move the drive rod to its extended position. Alternatively, the piston 60 can be steered in the other direction, tending to move the actuator rod 56 to its extended position thereby, by diverting the uppermost interlocking body 18g to its released position until sufficient force it is applied to the piston 60, to overcome the bypass force and to move the locking body 18g to its locked position. As a further alternative, the uppermost locking body 18g can be manually operated or driven by some other mechanical, electrical or other means, as desired for a particular application. To unload the chassis 14a-14g from the fully loaded frames 10, the uppermost locking body 18g must be moved to its released position in such a way that the uppermost chassis 14g can be removed in the frames 10. In general, when a chassis is unloading of the frames, the arm in which it was transported, preferably is automatically rotated towards its retracted position by the force of gravity acting on the arm, its drive articulation and the connection joint fixed to the arm. To achieve this, the drive links 34a-34g and the linkages 38a-38f, are connected to their associated arm 16a-16g at a spaced location of the pivot pins 24 and on the opposite side of the pivot pins 24 from the support portion 30 of the arms. The drive links 34a-34g and the »link joints 38a-38f can also be made of steel or some other relatively heavy material to increase the force of gravity which tends to rotate the arms 16a-16g towards their retracted positions when they are not loaded with frame. When a frame is removed from an arm, the rotation of the arm towards its retracted position by this force of gravity is limited to its intermediate position by coupling one end of the connecting link connected to the arm with one end of the slot in the arm. actuator joint immediately below the arm. The rotation of the actuator joint immediately below the arm is prevented by the weight of a frame loaded on the arm to which the drive link is connected. More specifically, as illustrated in Figure 7, with a chassis 14b loaded in the second arm 16b, the rotation of the third arm 16c to its retracted position is limited by engagement of the link 38b, with the second actuator link 34b from the inside of its slot 36. As illustrated in Figure 6, when the chassis 14b is removed from the second arm 16b, the second arm 16b rotates to its intermediate position by displacing the joint connected to the second actuator 34b and thereby releasing the joint connection 38b from the end of the groove 36 of the actuating link 34b and allowing the third arm 16c to rotate to its fully retracted position. At the same time, the movement of the first connecting link 38a, due to rotation of the second arm 16b, causes the first connecting link 38a to rest on the first locking body 18a to rotate the first locking body 18a out of its latched position, such that the chassis 14a in the first arm 16a can subsequently be unloaded from the frame 10. In this way, the frames automatically locate the support arms 16a-16b to receive subsequent chassis in the frames 10 during the loading of the frames. chassis and also automatically move everything except the last latching body 18g in an interlocked position to clamp the chassis in the frames 10 during loading. Similarly, during the download, the frames 10 are automatically reinitialized or reset to automatically move the interlocking bodies 18a-18f to their released position and automatically move the support arms 16a-16g out of the way to allow substantially automatic unloading of the chassis frames. In this way, the labor intensive process of inserting individual spacers between adjacent chassis loaded on a pallet is avoided, and the frames 10 of the present invention can be loaded and unloaded in a substantially automatic manner, such as by a robot or other machine. . In addition, each chassis in the frames are individually held in such a way that a frame does not have to support the load of subsequent chassis loaded thereon. Furthermore, all the above advantages are achieved with a relatively simple mechanical articulation and the force of gravity acting on the joint to avoid the cost and complexity of mechanical and electromechanical systems to automatically configure and reconfigure the frames during loading and unloading. Other variations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (18)

1. CLAIMS 1.- A frame to support multiple objects, characterized in that it comprises: at least one column constructed to extend vertically from a base; a first arm and a second arm, each pivotally transported by the column and movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein at least a portion of the arms extends outwardly and generally horizontally from the column, to support an object; a first actuator joint operatively associated with the first arm and a second actuator joint operatively associated with the second arm, each actuator joint being movable to control at least in part an associated movement of its respective arm from its retracted position at least partially towards its extended position; and a connection joint, connected between the first actuating articulation and the second actuating articulation and responding at least to movement of the first actuating articulation, as the first arm moves to its extended position, to cause movement of the second arm from its position retracted towards its extended position whereby, when an object is placed on the first arm and the first arm moves to its extended position, the second arm is rotated at least partially towards its extended position, to facilitate coupling of another object with the second arm and subsequent movement of the second arm to its extended position that holds the object.
2. 2. - The frame according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a locking body transported pivotally by the column adjacent to the first arm and with which the connection joint is slidably connected, the locking body is mobile from a position released to a locked position, restricting movement at least in one direction of an object in the first arm, in response to movement of the connecting link, caused by movement of the second arm to its extended position and the locking body is movable from its position locked to its released position, in response to movement of the connection joint, caused by movement of the second arm from its extended position towards its retracted position.
3. 3. - The frame according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a stop fixed to the column and built to couple the first arm when the first arm is in its retracted position, so that the first arm has at least one portion that extends outwardly from the column to facilitate coupling of an object with the first arm and the second arm, when it is in its first position it is generally hidden by the column, so that an initial object that is to be supported on the frame , it can be loaded on the first arm without coupling the second arm.
4. 4. - The frame according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a third arm pivotally transported by the column and movable between a retracted position and an extended position, a third actuator joint associated with the third arm to move the third arm from its position retracted at least towards its extended position and a second connecting link, connected between the second actuating link and the third actuating link and responding at least to movement of the second actuator, as the second arm moves to its extended position for cause movement of the third actuator joint which in turn moves the third arm from its retracted position to its extended position, whereby when one object is placed on the second arm and the second arm moves to its extended position, the third arm it is rotated at least partially towards its second position to facilitate coupling of a subsequent object with the third arm.
5. 5. - The frame according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a plurality of additional arms carried pivotally by the column and movable between retracted and extended positions, a plurality of additional actuator joints each associated with one separated from the additional arms to move its associated arm from its retracted position, at least partially towards its extended position and a plurality of connecting joints that provide a total number of connecting joints of one less than the total number of arms, each connecting link is connected between a pair of adjacent actuator joints and responsive to at least a portion of the range of motion of one of its associated actuator joints, to cause movement of its other associated actuator joint, which in turn moves the associated arm with the other associated joint from its position retro It gives to its extended position, to cause successive movements of adjacent arms as loaded in the consecutive frame objects.
6. 6. The frame according to claim 5, characterized in that it also comprises a plurality of interlocking bodies, one for each arm, each transported by the column adjacent to a separate arm and everything except the uppermost interlock body has a separate connection link slidably connected, each locking body except the uppermost locking body, is movable between a released spaced position of an object received in the adjacent arm and an interlocked position that restrains movement in at least one direction of an object in the adjacent arm, in response to movement of its associated connecting link during at least a portion of the range of motion of its connecting link associated with the uppermost interlock body which is independently movable between its latched and released positions.
7. 7. The frame according to claim 6, characterized in that it also comprises a fluid cylinder having a moving piston between first and second positions and a piston rod connected to one end of the piston and at its other end to the interlock body more superior, such that when the piston is in its first position, the uppermost locking body is in its locked position and when the piston is in its second position, the uppermost locking body is in its released position.
8. 8. The frame according to claim 7, characterized in that it also comprises a spring that transfers the piston in its way to its first position.
9. 9. The frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the total mass of each of the arms, actuator joints and connection joint, are distributed with respect to the pivot point of the arms, such that when an object is removed of one arm, the force of gravity acting on the arm, its actuating articulation and the associated connection joint cause the arm to rotate from its extended position at least partially towards its retracted position to automatically reinitialize the arms of the frame as the objects are download from the frame.
10. 10. The frame according to claim 5, characterized in that when an arm is in its extended position, the total mass of each of the arms and its associated actuator joint and connection joint is distributed with respect to a pivot point of the arm so that when an object is removed from the arm, the force of gravity acting on the arm, its actuator joint and the associated joint connection, cause the arm to rotate from its extended position at least partially towards its retracted position to automatically reinitialize the frame arms, as the objects are discharged into the frame.
11. 11. The frame according to claim 10, characterized in that when an object is removed from an arm, the force of gravity causes the arm to rotate towards its retracted position to an intermediate position between the retracted and extended positions, and when the object in the next consecutive arm is removed, the gravity similarly causes the next consecutive arm to rotate towards its retracted position to an intermediate position and this movement of the next consecutive arm to its intermediate position, causes movement of its associated actuator joint which in turn causes movement of the associated connection joint to cause movement of the arm to its retracted position.
12. 12. - The frame according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the first actuator hinge has a groove formed and one end of the connection hinge is slidably received in the slot and the other end of the hinge joint is operatively connected to the second actuator joint, to provide a lost motion coupling between the first and second actuator joints.
13. 13. - The frame according to claim 12, characterized in that when the first arm is in its extended position, the slot inclines at an included acute angle with respect to a line generally perpendicular to the column.
14. 14. The frame according to claim 13, characterized in that when the first arm is in its extended position, the slot is inclined at an angle of between 20 and 45 ° with respect to the line generally perpendicular to the column.
15. 15. The frame according to claim 13, characterized in that when the first arm is in its extended position, the slot is inclined at an angle of 30 ° with respect to the line generally perpendicular to the column.
16. 16. The frame according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking body has an opening through which the connection joint is slidably received to provide a lost motion coupling between the interlock body and a connecting joint. , in such a way that the connection joint rests on and causes movement of the interlock during only a portion of its range of motion.
17. 17. - The frame according to claim 16, characterized in that the opening is defined by a U-shaped channel extending from the locking body.
18. 18. The frame according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a pair of generally parallel columns, a pivot pin for each arm extends between the columns and with respect to which the arm pivots and a pair of stops for each arm transported by at least one column and that are coupled with the arms to define the extended and retracted positions of the arms.