SE500537C2 - Magazine for storage and handling of one or more pallets, including gripping means movable to any height in the magazine - Google Patents

Description

2 which regulates the height adjustment of a pair of sprockets, which sprockets are placed at the top of the structure and drive chains which in turn lift the U-shaped lifting carriage.

The disadvantages of this known device are fl era. The arrangement of line stops with line winches and counterweights for unfolding the lifting forks is not entirely reliable, as the line can get stuck and the counterweight get stuck in different positions, which means that the forks do not unfold at the same time. The lifting forks are constantly within the frame structure and must, at all times when they are not in the gripping position, assume a fully upwardly rotated position to ensure that they do not accidentally come into contact with the stacked pallets. In addition to the winch, which regulates the position of the gripping means, the hydraulic device also limits the stacking height. For the stacking of pallets, there are a number of guide rails and the like for securing the pallet stack.

Due to the design of the U-shaped trolley and the way in which the lifting gears are to work, it will not be possible to place the lowest pallet directly on the floor with this device, but it must be placed on a raised surface for the fork flange to be moved in a position can be folded down and then lift the bottom stool.

No supporting support for the front part of the U-shaped trolley is provided, but the trolley is supported only by the rear part, ie the horizontal part of the U, which must necessarily entail a not insignificant risk of oblique loading of the same and thus a simultaneous requirement. on a very strong construction of the trolley and the lifting system. This possible oblique load also means that precision is required when the trolley takes up the lifting position, as space must be provided to allow the plates of the gripping means, two on each long side of the U-shaped trolley, to be folded down, while the trolley is raised, without at the same time hooks in an adjacent pallet, partly that the margin between pivoting plate and pallet must at the same time be relatively small because it must be ensured that the plates reach well enough under the pallets before they are lifted.

Additional devices for storing pallets are, for example, the described EP-A-0 310 714, EP-AO 126 431, EP-AO 352 785 and DE-A1 192 111. However, none of these solves the problem with the above embodiment and neither can they be used to stack pallets on top of each other to the extent that can be achieved with the device according to the invention. In a number of the known constructions, in addition to line winches, chains are also generally used in some form of pneumatic device for lifting part of the device or for maneuvering the gripping means. As usual, this means that the more details that are built into a system, the greater the risk that any of these details will stop working.

There are also other known handling systems ßr empty pallets that do not solve the above related problems, as they are adapted to pallets to be carried on conveyor belts.

According to a known such system, new pallets are fed by placing them on top of the pallets in the magazine. Discharge takes place by lifting the pallets except the bottom one by mechanical means, which is then carried out on a round table, which forms the bottom of the magazine. Special lift devices or high-lift trucks must be used here. The object of the present invention is to provide a pallet magazine for rational, comfortable and space-saving storage of pallets which at the same time contributes to a good working environment and which eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages of systems known in the art. This object and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the features set forth in the appended claims.

It should be noted that a particular advantage of the embodiment according to the invention shown here is that due to the design of the lifting means these can be inserted substantially horizontally into the pallet to be lifted, even the one which stands at the bottom of the floor because the member is inserted between the pallet bottom boards and deck boards.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view obliquely from the front of a pallet magazine according to the invention.

Fig. 2 shows the pallet magazine in side view, partly sectioned.

Fig. 3 shows in detail view an embodiment of a gripping member, according to the invention, in flared and retracted position, and in the position where change from flared position to retracted position takes place. Figure 3 a, c is partly sectioned.

Fig. 4 shows in a plan view an embodiment according to the arrangement of a guide guide rail seen from above.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the power transmission according to the arrangement between the members on the respective side of the pallet magazine. (f: 4 In all figures, the same number denotes corresponding details.

Figure 1 shows a pallet magazine according to the drawing consisting of three walls arranged in a U-shape, the walls denoted by the reference numerals I and 2 being parallel to each other and the rear wall, denoted by 3, constituting the horizontal part of the U and thus the connecting link between the walls 1 and 2. These walls together form a magazine space 40. The sides 1, 2,3 of the walls facing the space are provided at the top with oblique, inwardly directed edges 29, which are intended to in case of any inclination of any / some of the pallets align these horizontally. On the sides of the walls 1 and 2 facing each other, vertical slots 4 are shown with plates 25 projecting from the slots, which form part of gripping means 10, here in a flared-out position. The force transmission between the gripping means 10, is arranged in the respective side wall and the wall 3 and will be described in more detail below in connection with fi g 5.

On the lower part of the side walls, recesses 5 can be arranged, which, for example, enable the magazine to be moved by means of a forklift. There are, of course, ways to effect movement of the magazine, such as by means of holders arranged on top in which a line winch or a traverse can be attached.

Another way of moving the magazine can be that a pallet is inserted into the magazine and locked there, after which the magazine can be moved, for example, with a forklift by lifting the pallet and the accompanying magazine. This can be a way to maneuver the magazine in tight spaces.

Figure 2 shows the outside of the pallet magazine wall 1, where any cover plates have been removed to better show the construction. In the embodiment shown in the figure, a motor 33 is indicated for driving the gripper means of the pallet magazine. The force transmission from this to the gripping means arranged in this wall is arranged via a shaft 11 and sprocket 13 via chains 14. Via a sprocket 60 arranged on the same shaft 11, the force is transmitted to the gripping means of the other wall. The gripping means in this embodiment are two pieces on each side wall, of which on the groove one is indicated by 10. Between the two gripping means a connecting beam 15 is shown. In this beam a preferably rotatably mounted shaft 43 is arranged, at whose ends the gripping means are releasably arranged. The position of the gripping means will be described below. The figure has been partially sectioned, whereby the second member 10 and a part of the beam 15 have been cut away. At each end of the beam vertically on the wall on its inner side v ".- .I ri '\ <1.) Ä): 5 a U-shaped strip 7 is arranged on a central section 8 between the vertical slots 4. The beam 15 is guided by providing at its ends with supporting means arranged at vertical distances from the end of the beam, which consist of ball-bearing wheels 12, which run in the strips 7 and are arranged on a vertical holder 28, preferably a rod. is fixedly arranged on one end of an L-shaped part 20 whose other end is fixedly connected to the end of the beam 15 next to the slot and directed towards the wall.The two corresponding L-shaped parts are facing each other. is formed by the part 20 and the beam runs respectively chain 14 in both directions.These chains are attached to the part of the part 20 (see fi g 5) parallel to the wall 1 and thus indirectly connected to the beam 15.

Other ways of controlling and stiffening the beam structure can of course be conceived within the scope of the appended claims.

The movement of the beam 10 and thus the gripping means 10 vertically is effected by the chains 14 being fixedly connected to the beam 15 or to parts fixedly arranged thereon, (see above).

As a height indicator, a sensor 16 on the beam 15 can be used, which cooperates grinding at least one vertically arranged indicator 30, which is arranged along the path of movement of the sensor 16 so that it indicates the height position for different numbers of pallets stacked on top of each other. This indicator can of course be adjustable for different indicator distances. Of course, other solutions are also conceivable, such as mechanical sensors, which extend into the magazine and come into contact with the pallets, or electronic devices of the photocell device type. At 6, a keypad is indicated for controlling the pallet magazine when stacking and removing pallets. This can of course, depending on various ergonomic or practical reasons, be placed in another suitable place. The pallet magazine can of course also be designed with remote control in mind. At 5, recesses intended for lifting by means of, for example, a forklift are shown.

The gripping means 10 are releasably mounted on the shaft 43 rotatably mounted on the beam 15 and will be described in further detail below. Next to the gripping member 10 a strip 17 is shown, which cooperates with both the gripping member 10 and a magnetic device 18.

A strip and a magnetic device are arranged on both sides of the magazine so that all gripping means can be released simultaneously.

Figures 3 a, b, c show the gripping member 10 in more detail. The member 10 consists of four, in a vertical main plane defined by the member 10, rotatably connected substantially elongate, flat links 21, 22, 23, 24. Links 21 and 23 respectively. 22 and 24 are in pairs opposite, where the links 21,23 occupy a substantially horizontal position and the links 22,24 a more vertical position in relation to each other. The links thus form in principle a quadrilateral. The 21 main features of the bottom link differ significantly from the others. These links 22,23,24 are certainly not exactly the same as each other but have, for example, different lengths. The link 21 is provided at one end with a substantially horizontally projecting plate 25. This plate has a chamfer 41 arranged on its upper surface, furthest from the center of the gripping member, which is the surface which when lifting the pallets will form the contact surface of the gripping member. with the pallets. A plane substantially corresponding to the extent of the plate 25 will, during the movement of the member, due to the construction, always be angled upwards, calculated in the direction towards the space, an angle α in relation to the horizontal plane.

The design of the member 10 is such that, due to the length of the links and the material distribution therein, it will narrow after assuming its pivoted position, which is shown in Figure 3a. This takes place under the influence of gravity. This effect on the organ can be amplified by means of an applied kraft force. The plate 25 will then be pushed into the magazine space 40 to the position in which it can lift the pallets present in the magazine. The mechanical stop also shows a mechanical stop 35 which regulates how far into the magazine space 40 the movement of the member 25 can lead the plate 25.

Because the natural position of the gripping member 10 under the influence of gravity is the pivoted-out position, where the angle α is at least consequently, the member will become more stable the greater the weight which loads the plate 25.

Figures 3a, c show at the connection point between the links 23 and 24 a bore 42 through which a locking pin can be passed to lock the gripping means against the shaft 43.

This is done to ensure that the gripping means will operate synchronously, while contributing to the stiffening of the structure.

On the member 10, Figure 3b at the articulated point between the ladles 21 and 24, on the side facing the strip 17, two concentric tray-shaped projecting parts 7, 26, 27 are arranged, the part 26 having the larger diameter , is located closest to the joint point. It is not necessary that these protruding washers in this embodiment are circular, but alternative designs of these can be considered.

Figure 3b shows how, when the member 10 in its retracted position engages the strip 17, it will hold the member in this position as long as a magnet 18 (ng 2 and 4) holds the strip in its position by at the point of rotation between the links 21 and 24, the projecting parts 26,27 engage with the strip. The magnet can of course be exchanged for another detail with the same function.

When the projecting horizontally arranged plate 25 on downward movement will abut against a stop 36 located at a bottom position, the plate 25 will be angled upwards in accordance with 3gur 3c, whereby it will be pushed into the respective side wall by the construction of the means, i.e. occupy a 40 irt irt position out of the magazine space.

Figures 4 a, b show in plan view a horizontal section through the member 10, at those on respective figures 3 a and b through lines A - A, respectively. B - B indicated positions. Here it is shown in more detail how the strip 17, which is articulated around a vertical axis 32 and extends substantially in the direction away from the slot 4, cooperates with an electromagnet 18, in order to hold the gripping means in the recessed position, fi gur 4 b, in that the part 27 of the gripping member abuts against the edge of the strip facing away from the articulated side. In order to make the abutment surface against the part 27 larger, the strip can advantageously have an edge 37 angled from the plane of the strip, in the direction of the electromagnet.

Figure 4a shows how the strip 17, when it has been pulled in the direction thereof by the electromagnet 18, causes the member 10, due to its own weight, to fall into the flung-out position where it engages with one of the pallets stored in the magazine. In this case, the strip abuts substantially flat against the circular exterior with the surface of the part 27 parallel to the main plane of the member. This can take place at substantially all points along the vertical path of movement of the members, but preferably at suitable heights which are indicated in any of the above ways.

However, this does not mean that alternative ways of irritating the body's movement into the magazine would not be conceivable.

Figures 5 a, b, c show the principle of transmitting the force to the gripping means 10.

Figure 5a shows the transfer between the side walls 1 and 2 of the magazine and Figure 5b and c show the transfer to the respective gripping means. The power transfer takes place alternately with 8 use of chains 50,14, 14 and sprockets 60,61. The fi gures also show the chain brackets 9 which fi the chains 14 at the associated L-shaped part 20 of the beam 15. The essential thing is that the gripping means on both sides of the pallets move synchronously. Of course, other liquid transfer agents can also be used.

The number of pallets that can be stacked in the magazine will primarily be controlled by the lifting force of the engine, secondarily by the ceiling height. The pallet magazine, which is arranged for receiving, storing and taking out pallets, works as follows: When one or your pallets are to be fed to the magazine, already pallets are lifted up to a level which makes it possible to insert the pallet (s) below the lowest the pallet by causing the gripping means 10 to assume their pivoted-out positions and then lifting up the pallets which are at a level above the gripping means. This is initiated, as described above, by activating the electromagnet so that the strip 17 pivots towards the magnet, whereby the member 10 falls down towards its pivoted position in the space between deck boards and bottom boards of the pallet to be lifted by gravity, and then the lifting and the new pallet (s) are pushed in under the previous pallets, after which the raised pallets are lowered onto the newly piled ones by being lowered by means of the means 10 and placed on underlying pallets. During the continued downward movement of the gripping means, the gripping means will possibly pass ñrbi and be pushed away by the pallets below below through the construction of the means. i.e. the upwardly angled plate 25 will be moved away and the member will be pushed into the wall to a corresponding extent when they with the plate 25 strike an obstacle located below and are thereby forced out of their swung-out position. In order to ensure that this takes place completely, the member is moved to its lower end position where a specially designed stop 36 is provided for this. It is to be noted that the member during its downward movement will in the swung-out position drag against the lower pallets.

When pallets are to be removed from the magazine, the gripper is caused to fall down to its swung-out position by activating the magnet, in the same way as above, at a suitable height, this height being indicated by, for example, a sensing device 16 cooperating with suitably arranged height indicators such as is shown in figure 2. In this way, a number of pallets can be taken out of the magazine at the same time. The number is in reality limited by how high the gripping means 10 can be moved.

Through the U-shape of the pallet magazine, it is possible to surface the same between different pallets. These wheels can, for example, be raised and lowered into the pallet magazine in order to obtain as stable a unit as possible during lifting.This raising or lowering movement can be effected in various ways, for example by the wheels or mills being spring-suspended, so that when lifting a a predetermined number of pallets the magazine is automatically lowered towards the base layer.A poorer option is with hydraulic power.

The invention has now been described with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawings. This form of drying is of course not limiting of the invention, but this can of course be designed and varied in many ways within the scope of the claimed claims.

Claims (10)

C51 / 0 (_51 t PATENTKRAV A magazine for storing and handling pallets, comprising three at right angles to each other, a U forming, interconnected side restraints (1,2,3), the space defined by these side restraints being adapted for receiving and storing on stacked pallets, a motor-driven system (50,51,52) provided with one or grip your gripping means (10), which can be moved in vertical direction, and which are arranged at the two laterally arranged side limits (1,2), wherein these means can occupy at least two positions for inserting pallets into and removing pallets from the magazine, characterized in that in one position they can lift one or more pallets and in a second position can be moved past the pallets in the magazine when one or more are pallets are inserted into or removed from the magazine, means being arranged to guide the gripping means (10) between a position swung into said space and a position led out of said space at any height in the magazine, the gripping means being a arranged to assume the position flung out in said space in the unaffected state and can in the affected state be moved to and locked in a position brought out of said space, whereby upon the release of the gripping means from the position moved these will move in a substantially horizontal direction into said space. Magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that each gripping member is pivotally suspended and comprises four links (21, 22, 23, 24) rotatably connected in its vertically oriented main plane, in pairs and that the lower link (21) at its one end is provided with a substantially horizontally projecting support part (25), the lower design of which is such that in the downward movement of the gripping means, the same is arranged to be moved towards the position brought out of said space. Magazine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each gripping means at the respective side limit is releasably arranged on a common shaft, which rests in a beam (15) to which chains (14) are directly connected and thereby are in direct contact with it. motorized system. ll 4. (25) the lower surface consists of a flat surface which forms an angle u with the horizontal plane and Magazine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the movement of the support part (25) from the retracted position to the flared position this angle a decreases continuously due to the mutual displacement of the links in the main plane. 5. has a chamfer (41) at the outermost surface, said chamfer when lifting Magazine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support part (25) of the pallets will constitute the contact surface of the gripping member against the pallet to be lifted. 6. by the influence of gravity will assume the position swung in space. Magazine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fi force is applied to the gripping means so that these are influenced to assume the position swung out in the space. Control of the gripping means between the swung-out position and the position of the magazine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping means according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for comprise a rotatably arranged vertical strip (17) which is arranged to be moved between two positions, for example by means of an electromagnet (18), the strip in one position allowing the member (10) to assume the position swung in the space (40) and in the other position the strip (7) engages with the gripping means (10) and locks the same in a position brought out of space. 9. handling of pallets or similar objects, these gripping means having two gripping means for lifting movement in vertical direction at a magazine for storage and working positions, one where the means lifts the pallets and one where the means go free from the pallets, characterized in that the gripping means is arranged for pivotable suspension and comprises four substantially elongate links (21, 22, 23, 24) rotatably connected in its main plane, the main plane of the member (10) extending in a vertical plane and the links (21 and 23 and 22 and 24, respectively) being opposed in pairs. , where the first pair of links (21, 23) occupy a substantially horizontal position and the second pair of links (22, 24) a more vertical position relative to each other, and that the main features of the lower link (21) in the first pair of links differ substantially from the others in that it is provided at its one end with a substantially horizontally projecting support part (25), which on its upper side, furthest from the center of the gripping member, in a wine can have a chamfer (41), whereby the support part will be brought into contact with the object to be lifted when lifting the pallets, and that the underside of the support part (25) has at least one predetermined angle α upwards relative to the liorison plane . Gripping means according to kmv 9, characterized in that the angle α below the support part (25) for extension from a carried position to the swung-out position decreases continuously due to the mutual displacement of the links in the main plane.