Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
  • B65G49/00—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for
  • B65G49/05—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for fragile or damageable materials or articles
  • B65G49/06—Conveying systems characterised by their application for specified purposes not otherwise provided for for fragile or damageable materials or articles for fragile sheets, e.g. glass
  • B65G49/062—Easels, stands or shelves, e.g. castor-shelves, supporting means on vehicles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D19/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
  • B65D19/38—Details or accessories
  • B65D19/44—Elements or devices for locating articles on platforms
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
  • B65D85/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
  • B65D85/48—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for glass sheets

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a support device for transport and storage of fragile items, such as glass, which support device is prepared for mounting on a standard pallet, e.g. a Europallet with an upper surface consisting of parallel load-bearing elements arranged at intervals.
• a standard pallet e.g. a Europallet with an upper surface consisting of parallel load-bearing elements arranged at intervals.
• a number of the support devices according to the present invention can therefore be mounted side by side on a standard pallet as required to enable one or more items or glass surfaces to be supported, with or without packaging and/or frame, in such a manner that the items are not damaged.
• a number of different support devices already exist for transport and storage of fragile items, such as, e.g., window glass, etc., which support devices are adapted to suit different sizes and shapes of fragile items.
• the pallet were a standard pallet such as a Europallet, it could be used for other transport.
• This in turn requires the support devices for glass to be capable of being releasably attached to a standard pallet.
• the releasably mounted support devices in order for the releasably mounted support devices to occupy a minimum of space during storage and transport, they should also be collapsible.
• a rack for storage and transport of glass surfaces and from DE-2706994 a support device is known, which is mounted in connection with a pallet or the like.
• the support device is also partly collapsible and comprises a tilted upright support, which is attached in suitable grooves or notches in a base.
• the object of the present invention is to provide a support device for transport and storage of fragile items, which can be employed with a standardised pallet, such as, e.g., a Europallet or the like. It is a further object that the support device should be able to be separated from the pallet in a simple manner and preferably be collapsible, with the result that the support device takes up little space during return transport or delivery of, e.g. glass surfaces and during storage.
• the support device according to the present invention should furthermore be constructed from relatively light materials, thus keeping the total weight during return transport as low as possible.
• the support device should be easy to dismantle, thus enabling the individual parts and elements to be replaced in the event, e.g., of damage, and in the preferred embodiment the materials are chosen so that they can be recycled to a great extent.
• the support device can be mounted on the required location on a pallet depending on the size of the load and the total weight.
• the extent of the support device, particularly in the horizontal direction must be capable of being adapted to different positions on the pallet, e.g. by being able to extend the support device's base (approximately horizontal) by means of telescopic construction or by the ability to insert connector pieces in a divided structure.
• a support device for transport and storage of fragile items, such as glass, according to the introduction to the following independent claim 1, with characterising features as indicated in the characterising part of claim 1. Further embodiments associated with the support device are indicated in the dependent claims.
• a support device for use in connection with a standard pallet, such as, e.g., a Europallet or the like.
• a standard pallet such as, e.g., a Europallet or the like.
• the upper, load-bearing surface of the pallet consists of a plurality of parallel load-bearing elements arranged at intervals, and in an embodiment the support device according to the present invention employs the spacing between the load-bearing elements in order to mount the support device lockingly on the pallet.
• the support device according to the present invention consists substantially of a base and an upright support, which form a substantially right-angled relationship with each other.
• the support device may also be mounted at a fixed angle relative to the pallet as required, depending on what is favourable for transport and storage of different objects. This angle of attachment may be produced, for example, by having different heights for the mounting devices between the support device's base and the upper surface of the pallet.
• the base and the upright support are rotatably interconnected by a through-going, transverse bolt connection, hinge or the like.
• a support device When a support device is released from the pallet, it can thereby be folded up around the rotating connection between the base and the upright support.
• the rotating connection between the base and the upright support may also be employed in connection with attachment and release of the support device to and from a pallet, the base and the upright support being so designed at their common fulcrum that they form two oppositely directed angle pieces.
• the angle pieces point in the same direction, thus enabling them to be passed down between two parallel-mounted load- bearing elements on the top of the pallet, whereupon the support device is unfolded and the angle pieces go into locking engagement on the bottom of two of the parallel-mounted load-bearing elements on the pallet.
• the rotating connection between the base and the upright support is utilised for attaching the support device to a pallet.
• the support device may be designed as, or provided with, a mounting piece in the form of an angle piece, which is passed down in the gap between two parallel load-bearing elements on the top of a pallet, and which then locks against the bottom of a load-bearing element and the top of a parallel-mounted load- bearing element.
• the base may be provided with one or more additional mounting devices, which engage with one or more of the parallel-mounted load-bearing elements on the top of the pallet.
• the support device may be provided at each end of the base with a mounting device, which is placed round the edge of the outermost load-bearing elements on the top of a pallet.
• at least one of the mounting devices should be movable along the base's longitudinal axis to enable it to be adapted to the pallet's external dimensions.
• at least one of the mounting devices is rotatably mounted relative to the base, thus enabling it to be rotated to locking engagement with one of the load- bearing elements on the upper surface of the pallet.
• the base and the upright support are rotatably interconnected and also mounted in a shaped mounting device, preferably composed of a machined aluminium section.
• a shaped mounting device preferably composed of a machined aluminium section.
• the base further consists of a fixed and a movable part, which movable part can be moved along the base's longitudinal axis.
• the fixed part of the base is connected to the upright support.
• a movement mechanism which moves the parts relative to each other.
• the bottom of the movable part of the base is further provided with a mounting device, which is also in the form of an aluminium section in the preferred embodiment.
• the mounting device is connected to the movable part of the base and, on movement of this movable part in the base's longitudinal axis, can be brought into and out of engagement with one or more of the load-bearing elements on the top of the pallet.
• the mounting device may be in the form of a "crook” or "right-angled hook", which is pulled out of and into engagement with a vertical longitudinal side of a load-bearing element on the top of the pallet.
• the support device's various constructional elements are made mainly of aluminium, with the exception of bolts, lead-throughs and other smaller elements, where constructional strength demands the use of other materials.
• aluminium can easily be machined into elongated sections, which are then divided into suitable lengths and may undergo further machining.
• As a material, aluminium is extremely light compared to alternative materials, and furthermore aluminium can be recycled and reused to a greater extent than other materials.
• Aluminium therefore satisfies the above-mentioned objects and requirements, whereby the weight of the support device according to the present invention has to be kept at a low level in order to assist in reducing return transport costs, while the whole or parts of the support device according to the present invention can be replaced and damaged or destroyed support devices can be delivered for recycling.
• Various kinds of aluminium alloys are, of course, also regarded as aluminium in this context. Different details and embodiments in connection with the support device according to the present invention are further described with reference to the attached figures, in which:
• Figure 1 is a plan view from the side illustrating a standard pallet with a preferred embodiment of the support device according to the invention
• Figure 2 is a plan view from the side illustrating the mounting device at the transition between the support device's base and upright support, as illustrated in figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a plan view from above illustrating the mounting device according to figure 2;
• Figure 4 is a plan view from the side illustrating a further mounting device for the base, as illustrated in figure 1;
• Figure 5 is a section from the side illustrating a movement mechanism in connection with the base, as illustrated in figure 1;
• Figure 6 is a section from above illustrating the movement mechanism in figure 5.
• FIG. 1 An embodiment of a support device according to the present invention is illustrated in figure 1, where the support device is mounted on a pallet 1, preferably of the standard type, e.g. a Europallet.
• the pallet 1 consists substantially of supporting legs or blocks, which are connected to upper and lower transverse elements, on which upper transverse elements is mounted an upper load-load-bearing surface on the pallet of parallel load-bearing elements 2.
• the support device according to the present invention is illustrated with a base 3 and an upright support 4, which form a substantially right-angled relationship to each other. As illustrated in figure 1, however, the support device's base 3 is mounted at an angle relative to the upper load-bearing surface on the pallet and the upright support 4 is correspondingly angled so that it slopes slightly backwards past a perpendicular position.
• the base 3 and the upright support 4 are rotatably connected to the through- going bolt 5, thus enabling the support device to be folded up during return transport or storage.
• the lower end of the upright support 4 is connected to the mounting device 6 by a securing bolt 6' or the like, which mounting device is preferably made of an aluminium section, as illustrated in figures 2 and 3.
• the section 6 is essentially designed with a first and a second side, where the first side 7 is designed to be mounted lockingly under one of the parallel-mounted load-bearing elements 2 on the upper surface of the pallet, while the second side 8 is designed to rest on the top of one of the parallel-mounted load- bearing elements 2 on the upper surface of the pallet.
• the mounting device 6 can be mounted on the pallet by passing the first side 7 in under one of the parallel load bearing elements 2 on the upper surface of the pallet and then laying the second side 8 down on the top of a parallel-mounted load-bearing element 2.
• the first side 7 is provided with an edge or flange 7 which is mounted substantially perpendicularly on the surface 7 and abuts against the lateral edge on one of the load-bearing elements 2 on the upper surface of the pallet.
• Figures 2 and 3 further provide a detailed illustration of an embodiment of a mounting device 6, as it is designed for use as illustrated in figure 1.
• the upright support 4 is mounted between two support surfaces 9 and 10, projecting vertically from the other end 8, which abuts against the upper surface of the pallet.
• the support surfaces 9 and 10 are at an angle relative to the horizontal plane, and relative to the rest surface on the other end 8 against the pallet's upper surface, and this angle is reflected in the upright support's 4 angle relative to the upper surface of the pallet.
• the upper surface 8' of the mounting device 6 is arranged with a substantially right-angled relationship to the upright supports 9 and 10, and the centre line of the upright support 4. The angular relationship between the upper surface 8' and the rest surface 8 also reflects the angular relationship between the base 3 and the upper surface on the pallet.
• the upright support surfaces 9 and 10 are formed with a recess for mounting the base 3 in the transition between the base
• the upright support 4 may be designed at its lower end with a rest surface 8 and a projection similar to the support edge 7 and 7', and in a further embodiment the base 3 may be designed with a support surface corresponding to 8 and a projection corresponding to 7, 7'.
• the end of the base may be provided with a "crook” or "right- angled hook", which is mounted round the longitudinal edge of one of the parallel-mounted elements 2 on the pallet's surface.
• the embodiment illustrated in figures 1, 2 and 3 is preferred, however, since the upright support 4 receives good support from the surfaces 9 and 10, and the mounting device 6 provides a stable angular relationship between the base 3 and the upright support 4, while at the same time the mounting device 6 can be easily produced from, e.g., a drawn aluminium section, which undergoes further machining at the recesses in the upright support surfaces 9 and 10 for mounting the base 3.
• a drawn aluminium section which undergoes further machining at the recesses in the upright support surfaces 9 and 10 for mounting the base 3.
• an additional mounting device and support 11 with lower rest surfaces 13 abutting against the upper surface of the pallet.
• On the bottom of the mounting device there is also provided an angle or holding hook 12, adapted for mounting round the edge of one of the parallel-mounted load-bearing elements 2 on the upper surface of the pallet.
• the design of the mounting device 11 is adapted to the angular relationship between the base 3 and the upper surface of the pallet by means of the distance between the load-bearing surface 13 and the area where the mounting device 11 is placed on the bottom of the base 3.
• each mounting device 11 can be arranged along the bottom of the base 3, in order thereby to engage with several of the parallel-mounted load-bearing elements on the upper surface of the pallet. In such an embodiment, however, each mounting device 11 must be adapted to the distance between the bottom of the base and the top of the elements in the upper load-load-bearing surface 2.
• a part of the base 3 is movable along the base's longitudinal direction. This is particularly preferred since it provides a stable positioning of the support surfaces 7, 7' relative to the holding device 12, which can be locked in such a manner that the support device as such is secured in a stable fashion on the upper surface of the pallet.
• the mounting device 11 may be rotatably connected to the base 3 by an additional locking device.
• the base 3 is thereby designed with a fixed and a movable part, which movable part can be moved along the base's longitudinal direction.
• the fixed and the movable parts are further connected via a movement mechanism as illustrated in figures 5 and 6, where the movable part of the base 3, illustrated as 3' in figures 5 and 6, is movable relative to the remaining part of the base 3.
• the movement mechanism consists substantially of a first and a second body, 14 and 15 respectively, which first body 14 is connected at its first end with the fixed part of the base 3 at the fulcrum 18, and at its other end is rotatably connected to the second body 15.
• the second body 15 is further connected to the movable part 3 ' of the base.
• the connecting point between the first body 14 and the second body 15 is in the form of a bolt connection 16, which permits rotational movement between the first body 14 and the second body 15.
• the second body 15 is also connected by means of the connection 17 with the movable part 3 ' of the base.
• the movement mechanism is located in a recess 19 in the base in order to prevent it from being in the way of a load or from damaging the edge of a load located on the base.
• the holding device 11 (which is connected to the movable part 3 ' of the base) will thereby be moved, thus causing the holder 12 to be disengaged from the load-bearing element on the upper surface of the pallet.
• the movable part of the base 3 is pushed forward by the movement mechanism, and the support device is then locked to the upper surface of the pallet by the second body 15 of the movement mechanism being rotated down to the position illustrated in figure 5, whereupon the support device is locked to the upper surface of the pallet.
• the second body 15 When a load is subsequently placed on the support device, the second body 15 will be locked in its position as illustrated in figure 5.
• the distance between the fulcrum 16 and the securing point 17 will thereby substantially control the total movement in the base's longitudinal direction.

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=19911463

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (2)

Citations (6)

• 2000
  • 2000-08-08 NO NO20004004A patent/NO312504B1/no not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2001
  • 2001-08-08 AU AU2001282702A patent/AU2001282702A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-08-08 WO PCT/NO2001/000335 patent/WO2002012076A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (6)

Non-Patent Citations (3)

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