WO1992012089A1

WO1992012089A1 - Barrel handling device

Info

Publication number: WO1992012089A1
Application number: PCT/AU1992/000001
Authority: WO
Inventors: Barry Hansford; Michael Noel Healy; Alan Stuart Coy
Original assignee: Yale-Ltc Industrial Trucks Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1991-01-14
Filing date: 1992-01-02
Publication date: 1992-07-23

Abstract

A device to carry a group of beer kegs, etc. has a frame attachable to the pantograph of a forklift truck. An array of kegs may be picked up by manoeuvering the frame (2) so that rows of kegs are inserted into horizontal channels between parallel tines (8) rigidly attached to the frame. Engagement of the tines beneath the rolling rings of the kegs allows lifting of the array whereas removal of the kegs from the channels is aided by pusher plates (14) displaceable along the channels by hydraulic actuators (20) moving linkages (18). A hydraulically adjustable framework (26, 32) prevents misplacement of the distal ends of the tines due to any small degree of flexing thereof. To prevent slippage of barrels with slightly varying dimensions, pairs of hooking arms which swing down from the frame to engage the inturned upper rims of the kegs may be provided.

Description

'BARREL HANDLING DEVICE"

„ The present invention relates to a device for handling a group of barrels i and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a device for handling beer kegs.

^• 5

Beer kegs and other large barrels such as drums for oil, plastics or chemicals are conventionally of a basic cylindrical shape, with two or more annular ribs extending around the circumference of the barrel at axially spaced positions to form so-called rolling rings to facilitate manual handling by rolling 10 the barrel along the ground.

The shape and weight of the barrels causes difficulties in the bulk mechanical handling of a group of barrels. There has been proposed a device for handling a group of up to six beer kegs by clamping together the group of

15 kegs which can then be lifted, displaced, and lowered as a group. This system cannot safely handle more than six kegs as a larger number is difficult to clamp together. Also a degree of manual handling of individual kegs is required, for example when loading kegs onto a truck, to place each keg into the required position in a stack formed on the truck.

20

According to the present invention there is provided a device for handling a group of barrels, said device being adapted for attachment to a vehicle and comprising an array of substantially parallel tines defining a plurality of parallel channels for receiving the barrels, adjacent tines being

25 spaced by a distance such that a barrel can be received within the channel with the adjacent tines engaged beneath a rolling ring or other circumferential projection of the barrel, and power-operated means movable along each channel to form a stop for the barrels to facilitate withdrawal of the tines from f the group of barrels.

30

Preferably, the tines are rigidly attached to a rigid mounting frame and extend forwardly and horizontally from the frame, the frame being adapted for attach ent to a fork lift truck whereby the frame can be raised and lowered upon operation of the truck.

Preferably, the tines carry removable strips to act as wear strips and also to provide adjustment of the effective channel width.

Advantageously, the device includes means for deflecting the tines to provide the required width at the front end portion of the channels. Such means may comprise a linkage, preferably a power-actuated linkage, acting on at least some of the tines to cause limited lateral deflection of the front end portions of the tines. The linkage preferably comprises lever arms pivotally mounted for lateral movement in a vertical plane and linked at least to outer ones of the array of tines, and means for pivotally moving the arms laterally inwardly and outwardly by applying thrust against structure mounted on a central one of the tines.

Further according to the present invention, there is provided a device for handling a group of barrels, said device being adapted for attachment to a vehicle and comprising an array of substantially parallel tines defining a plurality of parallel channels for receiving the barrels, adjacent tines being spaced by a distance such that a barrel can be received within the channel with the adjacent tines being engaged beneath a rolling ring or other circumferential projection of the barrel, means actuable to facilitate removal of the barrels from the channels, and deflecting means actuable to cause lateral deflection of forward end portions of at least some of the tines to provide a required inter-tine spacing at the forward end of the channels.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a handling device in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows, schematically, the manner in which the device is mounted on a fork lift truck;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the device, a pusher plate assembly of the device being omitted for the sake of clarity; Figure 4 is a front view of the device and showing details of a tine stabilising mechanism of the device, the pusher plate assembly also being omitted from this figure;

Figure 5 is a plan view showing details of the pusher plate assembly;

Figure 6 is a vertical section showing a tine and associated wear strip; Figure 7 is a plan view of a modified embodiment of the device incorporating additional holding means for the barrels;

Figure 8 is a section on hne A-A of Figure 7 showing the holding means in a position in which they engage the barrels;

Figure 9 is a section similar to Figure 8 but showing the holding means in a retracted position; and

Figure 10 is a schematic side elevation of the modified embodiment.

The handling device comprises a rigid frame 2 adapted to be mounted on a fork lift truck or other mechanical handling vehicle so that the device can be raised or lowered and moved while in the raised or lowered positions. Preferably, and as illustrated in Figure 2, the frame 2 is adapted to be mounted on the pantograph 4 of a fork lift truck 6. An array of parallel tines 8 extends forwardly from a rigid horizontal beam 10 at the base of the frame 2. The adjacent tines 8 are spaced by a distance greater than the outer diameter of the body of the barrels to be handled, but less than the rolling ring diameter of the barrels, to thereby define a group of parallel channels 12, each of which is able to receive a row of barrels. In the particular configuration shown, there are seven tines defining six channels 12, the length of each channel 12 being such that three barrels can be loaded into each channel. The device can thus handle up to eighteen barrels. It is, however, to be understood that the invention is not restricted to that particular configuration. Barrels are loaded into the channels 12 by advancing the device towards group of one or more rows of barrels for example by extending the pantograph 4 of the fork lift truck, so that the tines 8 pass beneath one of the rolling rings of the row or rows of barrels, normally the upper one of the rolling rings. The barrels may alternatively comprise another circumferential projection beneath which the tines can engage. Raising the device, such as by raising the pantograph, will then cause the group of barrels to be lifted by engagement of the tines beneath the rolling rings of the barrels. The group of barrels can then be manoeuvred and transported by the fork lift truck.

Discharge of the barrels from each of the channels 12 is aided by means of a pusher plate 14 displaceable along the length of channel 12, a respective pusher plate 14 being associated with each channel 12. The pusher plates 14 are carried by, and depend from, a horizontal pusher bar 16 which extends laterally across the upper surfaces of the tines 8 so as to be displaceable forwardly and rearwardly along the upper surfaces of the tines while being supported by the tines. The pusher bar 16 is mounted at the forward end of a pair of hydraulically actuated two-arm linkages 18 each mounted at its rear end to the rigid frame 2. The two linkages 18 are located on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis of the device and actuation of a hydraulic cylinder 20 associated with each linkage 18 will cause the pusher plates 14 to move along the channels 12 and thereby assist discharge of the barrels when the group has been deposited and the tines 8 are withdrawn. This may be necessary if some of the barrels are distorted and fit tightly onto the tines whereby the barrels move back with the tines as they withdraw. When the group consists of full barrels, action of the pusher plates 14 may not be necessary even with tight barrels, as the self-weight of the barrels when deposited may be sufficient to permit withdrawal of the tines without assistance. The pusher plates 14 may, however, be of assistance in the final positioning of the group of barrels when, for example, loading a truck. The pusher plates 14 may sometimes be needed to facilitate withdrawal of the tines 14 from a group of empty barrels. The pusher plates can also be used as a movable stop when only one or two rows of barrels (six or twelve barrels) are to be carried instead of the usual three rows (eighteen barrels). It is to be noted that the pusher plates are usually only operated to facilitate discharge when the circumstances are such that normal discharge by simple withdrawal of the tines will not take place.

The tines 8 are rigidly attached to the lower horizontal beam 10 of the rigid frame 2 and are preferably removable to permit replacement in the event of damage. In practice, it is necessary to provide for a degree of adjustment of the spacing between adjacent tines 8 to permit the device to be adaptable to different types of barrel. Although this could be achieved by means of an adjustable mounting for the tines 8 from the beam 10, this will add to the complexity of the structure. It is preferred to provide the desired degree of adjustability by means of a removable strip 22 of inverted channel-section (see Figure 6) extending along the length of each tine 8 so as to cover the top of the tine and each of the two opposed sides of the tine over part of its height. The wall thickness of the side parts 22a of the strip 22 will determine the effective spacing between adjacent tines 8. Strips 22 of different wall thickness can thus be provided in order to set the desired tine spacing. The strips 22 also act as replaceable wear strips to avoid wear of the tines and barrels, and for this purpose are preferably constructed of a suitable plastics such as ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene.

The pusher bar 16 which slides along the top surface of the tines 8 may also include, at its underside, a removable wear strip 24 of a suitable plastics.

Although the tines 8 are of a rigid construction and are rigidly mounted at their rear ends, a small degree of flexing can occur along the length of the tines, and, of course, the deflection will be the greatest at the forward end portion of the tines 8. Deflection will occur about the vertical central plane of the tine and will increase or decrease the effective width of the channels 12 at the entrance to the channels. A slight increase in channel width at the channel entrance can be quite serious as the tines 8 may not satisfactorily locate beneath the rolling ring of a barrel with the result that a barrel in the forward end of the channel might not properly be held. In order to overcome this difficulty, a stabilising system is provided to ensure that the forward end portions of the tines 8 are set substantially to the required spacing.

With particular reference to Figure 4, the stabilising system comprises a plate 26 rigidly attached to, and upstanding from, the two outer tines and the central tine. Rigid mounting bars 28a, 28b extend laterally from each side of the central plate 26, and from the inner side of the outer plates 26. Each pair of mounting bars is interconnected by a fluid actuated cylinder 30 which is pivotally mounted to the ends of the mounting bars 28a, 28b. The mounting bars 28a, 28b and cylinders 30 are mounted above the level of the top of the barrels when loaded onto the tines 8 so that the stabilising system will not interfere with the barrels. Actuation of the cylinders 30 will serve to set the distance between the outermost tines and the central tine at the forward ends of the tines and this has been found to overcome the problems of incorrect tine spacing, even although there is no direct stabilising force applied to the two pairs of intermediate tines, since, as will be apparent, the lateral forces applied to the outermost tines will be applied also to the intermediate tines via the barrels. In some instances it has been found that retraction of the cylinders 30 in an attempt to move the outer tines inwardly, can in fact result in further outwards deflection of these tines under the effect of a complex force system which is set up between the various components upon actuation of the cylinders 30. This can be avoided by providing rigid upward extensions 32 from the outer plates, as shown the extensions being formed by rigid bars. The two bars 32 are pivotally interconnected by a rigid horizontal stabilising bar 34. With this configuration, upon actuation of the cylinders 30, the plates 26 and extension bars 32 of the outer tines form lever arms which pivot, albeit through a very small angle, in a vertical plane about the pivot mountings 36 at the outer ends of the stabilising bar 34 and ensure the correct displacement of the associated tines. It is to be noted that the cylinder mounting bars 28b associated with the two outer plates 26 are inclined downwardly towards the plates in order to apply the force nearer to the zone of the outer tines.

A conduit 38 extends from the stabilising system rearwardly to the rigid mounting frame 2 in order to support hydraulic pipes for the two cylinders 30.

The handling device described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 is effective when handling groups of substantially identical barrels. However in some situations the barrels might not all be identical. For example some barrels may be formed with rolling rings of slightly smaller diameter than those of the other barrels and in some circumstances with a mixed group of barrels certain of the barrels with the smaller rolling rings might not be securely held by the tines and might tend to slip. The embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 10 incorporates additional holding means which engage beneath an upper rim of each barrel to provide additional support to prevent slipping of individual barrels particularly within a group of mixed barrels, if the engagement of the tines beneath the rolling rings proves insufficient. The additional holding means comprise pairs of hooking arms 50 above each channel 12. The pairs of arms 50 are spaced axially so that each pair is positioned to cooperate with a different one of the barrels. In their engaged position (Figure 8), each hooking arm 50 extends downwardly from an upper support, with a laterally- outwardly-directed hooking end portion 50a at its lower end being engaged beneath an inturned upper rim of the barrel as shown schematically in dotted lines in one of the channels 12 in Figure 8, the two hooking arms 50 associated with each barrel being at diametrically opposed positions with respect to the upper rim of the barrel. The two hooking arms 50 associated with each barrel are moved into and out of engagement by a swinging action between an upper disengaged position in which the arms are in retracted positions spaced above the level of the channels as shown in Figure 9 and the engaged positions as shown in Figure 8, the two hooking arms 50 associated with each barrel swinging in opposite directions so that each hooking end portion 50a can engage beneath the inturned upper rim by movement in a direction radially outwardly of the barrel, and subsequently be disengaged from the rim initially by movement radially inwardly with respect to the barrel.

In the preferred embodiment, in order to facilitate synchronous movement of all of the hooking arms 50 at appropriate phases of an operation to pick up and release a group of barrels, the hooking arms 50 associated with each channel 12 are mounted on pivot shafts 54 extending in a direction parallel to the axis of the channel 12, with the hooking arms 50 which are adapted to engage at the same side of the respective barrels in the channel being on the same pivot shaft 54 as is clearly shown in Figure 7. Each of the pivot shafts 54 is mounted in a suitable bearing at its front and rear end portions. With the configuration shown, the pivot shafts 54 associated with the adjacent sides of adjacent channels are positioned in close proximity and require to be rotated in opposite directions to engage and release the hooking arms 50 mounted thereon. This can be imderstood with particular reference to the shafts 54 which have been designated as 54(a) to (d) in Figures 7 to 9 wherein the shaft 54(a) carries the arms 50 associated with the right side of the extreme left channel, the shafts 54(b) and (c) carry the arms 50 associated with the left and right sides of the second channel, and the shaft 54(d) carries the arms 50 associated with the left side of the third channel. The rotation in opposite directions can be obtained by means of interengaging pinion gears 56 on the adjacent shafts whereby the two shafts are connected for simultaneous rotation in opposite directions, and by imparting drive to one shaft of each interconnected pair; this can readily be seen in relation to the pairs of adjacent shafts 54(a) and (b), and 54(c) and (d). To impart drive one of the two pivot shafts of each interconnected pair (see for example shafts 54(b) and (d), also carries a driving pinion 58 which is engaged with a respective rack 60 carried by a drive bar 62 which is reciprocably driven in a direction transverse to die axis of the pivot shafts 54, the drive bar 62 being of a bridged formation adjacent each end in order to permit passage of the pusher plate linkages 18. The two outermost pivot shafts 54 are also driven from the drive bar 62 through respective racks carried by the drive bar and through a pinion gear train 64. With this configuration actuation of the drive bar 62 in one direction will cause the hooking arms 50 to swing downwardly in synchronism from their upper retracted positions into their engaged positions, and movement in the reverse direction will cause the hooking arms 50 to swing from their engaged into their retracted positions in synchronism. The required movement of the drive bar 62 can be effected by means of a fluid actuated driving cylinder.

In operation, when the group of barrels has been loaded into the channels in the manner described previously, the hydraulic system is operated to actuate the stabilising system to effect the displacement of the tines whereby the forward ends of the tines 8 firmly hold the barrels at the forward end of the channels 12, and the drive bar 62 is reciprocated to cause the hooking arms 50 to swing downwardly into their engaged positions with their hooking end portions 50a engaged beneath the inturned rims at the upper ends of the barrels. The controls for actuating the stabilising system and the drive bar can be incorporated into a hydraulic control circuit whereby a single control movement by the operator will effect operation of the stabilising system and also the engagement of the hooking arms. The hydraulic control circuit will include standard hydraulic control components and is not critical to the present invention.

To facilitate location of the device at the correct height when loading the barrels into the device so that the hooking end portions 50a will engage beneath the inturned upper rims of the barrels, locating bars 66 are located at a suitable distance above the two outermost tines 8. The locating bars 66 will engage the upper edges of the barrels to ensure that the device is positioned at a height such that the hooking arms 50 can swing downwardly into engagement beneath the inturned rims without being blocked by possible engagement with the upper wall of the barrel as might occur if the device is set at too low a level when advancing into the group of barrels. The barrels are likely to be subject to some rough handling, for example when being rolled down a chute into a cellar of a retailer, and this often results in inwards distortion of the upper rim. In order to ensure that the hooking arms are able to properly engage beneath the rims, even if of distorted shape, the hooking arms are preferably fabricated from spring steel in order to permit a degree of deflection to accommodate the distortion when in their engaged position.

The preferred embodiments have been described byway of example only and modifications to the specific details described may be made. For example the stabilising system which causes inwards displacement of the forward ends of the tines can be achieved in other ways and the additional support for the barrels provided by engaging the rims of the barrels from above can be obtained by means other than the swinging hooking supports as described.

Claims

CLAIMS:-

1. A device for handling a group of barrels, said device being adapted for attachment to a vehicle and comprising an array of substantially parallel tines defining a plurality of parallel channels for receiving the barrels, adjacent tines being spaced by a distance such that a barrel can be received within the channel with the adjacent tines engaged beneath a rolling ring or other circumferential projection of the barrel, and power-operated means movable along each channel to form a stop for the barrels to facilitate withdrawal of the tines from the group of barrels.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the tines are rigidly attached to a rigid mounting frame and extend forwardly and horizontally from the frame, the frame being adapted for attachment to a vertically movable carriage of a vehicle whereby the frame can be raised and lowered relative to ground- engaging wheels of the vehicle.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein portions of the tines which engage the barrels are composed of a wear-resistant material, said wear- resistant material being removably mounted on a main body of the tine.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the wear-resistant material is provided by a removable strip of wear-resistant material of channel section to overlie an upper edge of the main body and opposed side edges of the main body.

5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a power- operated system operable to provide a required inter-tine spacing at the forward end portion of the channels.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the system is operable to cause laterally inwards deflection of the forward end portions of the outermost tines of the array of tines.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the system comprises at least one fluid actuated cylinder actuable to provide the required inter-tine spacing.

8. A device according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the system includes means operable on the forward end portions of at least some of the tines to cause limited lateral deflection of the front end portions of the tines.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the means operable on the forward end portions of at least some of the tines comprises a power-actuated linkage having lever arms pivotally mounted for lateral movement in a substantially vertical plane, with respective arms being linked to respective ones of the outermost arms of the array of tines, and means for pivotally moving the arms laterally inwardly.

10. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising means actuable to provide lateral deflection of forward end portions of at least some of the tines to provide a required inter-tine spacing.

11. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for use with barrels having an inwardly-directed upper rim, said device further comprising means engageable beneath the upper rim of each barrel to provide additional support for the barrel.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the rim-engaging means is engageable beneath the rim at a plurality of spaced positions around the rim, said rim-engaging means being movable from an engaged position to a retracted position above the barrels when positioned in the channels.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the rim-engaging means comprise hook members moimted for swinging movement between a retracted position above the level of the barrels and the engaged position.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the hook members are composed of a resilient material whereby individual hook members are able to deflect when in the engaged position to accommodate distortions in the rim.

15. A device according to claim 13 or claim 14, comprising drive means linking the hook members to provide synchronous movement of the hook members between the retracted and engaged positions.

16. A device for handling a group of barrels, said device being adapted for attachment to a vehicle and comprising an array of substantially parallel tines defining a plurality of parallel channels for receiving the barrels, adjacent tines being spaced by a distance such that a barrel can be received within the channel with the adjacent tines being engaged beneath a rolling ring or other circumferential projection of the barrel, means actuable to facilitate removal of the barrels from the channels, and deflecting means actuable to cause lateral deflection of forward end portions of at least some of the tines to provide a required inter-tine spacing at the forward end of the channels.

17. A device according to claim 16, wherein the deflecting means comprises a fluid cylinder actuable to cause lateral inwards deflection of the outermost tines.

18. A device according to claim 16 or claim 17 further comprising means actuable after loading of the barrels into the channels to releasably engage beneath an inwardly-directed upper rim of each barrel to provide additional support for the barrels from above.