WO2014175739A1

WO2014175739A1 - Device provided with two transport devices movable substantially transversely of each other

Info

Publication number: WO2014175739A1
Application number: PCT/NL2014/050273
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roel Nicolai
Original assignee: R.N. Machinebouw B.V.
Priority date: 2013-04-25
Filing date: 2014-04-25
Publication date: 2014-10-30
Also published as: EP2989255A1; NL2010704C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a device provided with two transport devices, wherein the transport devices (1 ) are disposed for movement substantially transversely of each other, and each comprise a displaceable frame (10) and a drive for displacing the frame. The drive comprises a drive body (2) configured to increase in volume when receiving a fluid. The drive body is connectable to means for supplying the fluid to the drive body. The drive body has a generally elongate form and the frame is disposed for displacement in longitudinal direction of the drive body. A first transport device is configured to displace bricks in a first direction, and a second transport device is configured to displace the bricks in a second direction lying substantially transversely of the first direction for the purpose of laying the bricks in bond. The invention also relates to a paving machine provided with a device according to the invention.

Description

DEVICE PROVIDED WITH TWO TRANSPORT DEVICES MOVABLE SUBSTANTIALLY TRANSVERSELY OF EACH OTHER

The present invention relates to a device provided with two transport devices movable substantially transversely of each other, wherein each transport device is configured for substantially linear displacement of a number of objects.

Diverse transport devices suitable for this purpose are known in the relevant field. Several examples are pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, chain drives, gear racks, toothed belts and so on. All these known transport devices have the drawback that they are complex and expensive and less suitable for application in a dirty environment.

The present invention has for its object to provide a transport device which can function reliably in a dirty and/or moist environment and can at the same time be realized at low cost.

The present invention achieves this objective with a transport device comprising a displaceable frame and a drive for displacing the frame, wherein the drive comprises a drive body configured to increase in volume when receiving a fluid, which drive body is connectable to means for supplying the fluid to the drive body, wherein the drive body has a generally elongate form and the frame is disposed for displacement in longitudinal direction of the drive body.

Such a transport device is known from DE3302444.

In this unique transport device the frame, advanced as a result of the volume increase of the drive body, displaces in longitudinal direction of the drive body. In this simple manner a substantially linear displacement is realized in flow direction of the fluid, wherein the stroke of the transport device is determined by the length of the drive body.

It is noted for the sake of completeness that the Netherlands patent application NL2009054 of the same applicant describes a clamping device which makes use of the same type of drive body. This clamping device is driven by a volume increase or expansion of the drive body in transverse direction thereof. NL2009054 has not been prepublished.

In a first preferred embodiment the drive body is connectable at opposite outer ends to the means for supplying the fluid to the drive body. A displacement in two opposite directions can hereby be realized.

In an elegant preferred embodiment the frame comprises at least two rolling bodies located some mutual distance from each other, wherein the drive body extends between the rolling bodies. As a result of the increase in the volume of the drive body the rolling bodies roll in longitudinal direction over the drive body. The transport device preferably comprises biasing means for biasing at least some of the rolling bodies in the direction of the drive body. A continuous properly sealing contact is hereby guaranteed between the drive body and the rolling bodies.

Depending on the intended application and the associated situation of use, it is possible to opt for an embodiment in which the drive body is a filling body fillable with liquid, or for an alternative embodiment in which the drive body is an air-inflatable drive body. The drive body is preferably a hose. The hose form is highly suitable for filling with a fluid and for defining a

substantially linear direction of displacement for the frame.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the frame is provided with wheels. The frame can displace by means of the wheels over varying types of ground surface.

In a further preferred embodiment the frame is provided with a coupling for a number of objects. Several embodiments of the coupling comprise slide members or drag members.

The present invention relates to a device as according to claim 1 .

According to a first preferred embodiment, a first transport device is provided with drag members and a second transport device is provided with slide members.

The present invention also relates to a paving machine provided with a device according to the invention. The paving machine according to the invention continues to function with great reliability even in dirty conditions. The length of each of the drive bodies determines the stroke of the device, and thereby the displacement distance of the bricks in the first and second direction. This stroke can be modified optimally to the dimensions of the desired brick bond.

In a first preferred embodiment of the paving machine one of the two transport devices is arranged higher than the other transport device. In a complete preferred embodiment the paving machine further comprises a clamping device for clampingly picking up the bricks laid in bond. The clamping device is preferably provided with a drive body as described as component of the device according to the

invention, wherein the clamping device is driven by increase in volume of the drive body in transverse direction thereof.

The present invention will now be further described with reference to the following figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a preferred embodiment of a transport device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the transport device of figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-section of the transport device of figure 1 ;

Figure 4 illustrates schematically laying bricks in bond using a device according to the invention;

Figure 5A shows schematically a drag member as component of a device according to the invention in a first position;

Figure 5B shows schematically a drag member as component of a device according to the invention in a second position;

Figures 6A, 6B and 6C show schematically a slide member with bricks during three different stages of laying the bricks in bond.

Figures 1 , 2 and 3 show schematically in respectively top view, side view and in cross-section a transport device 1 according to the invention in a preferred embodiment. Transport device 1 comprises a frame 10 and the drive for displacing the frame. The drive comprises a drive body 2 and means (not shown) for filling the drive body with a fluid. Drive body 2 lies against frame 10.

In the shown preferred embodiment the drive body is hollow and serves as filling body for the fluid. Diverse fluids are suitable for application in the transport device according to the invention. Several examples are air, water and oil. Suitable means for supplying such a fluid to the drive body are known in the relevant field. The drive body has a generally elongate form in order to realize a substantially linear displacement. A suitable form of drive body 2 is a hose form. Suitable materials for drive body 2 can be selected, subject to the application and the fluid, from materials known in the relevant field. Tests have shown that a fire hose is highly suitable for application in the present invention.

Frame 10 comprises rolling bodies 12 arranged some mutual distance from each other in a housing 1 1. In the shown preferred embodiment rolling bodies 12 lie substantially one above another at a predetermined mutual distance. Drive body 2 is a hose which extends between rolling bodies 12. The distance between the rolling bodies is chosen such that at a low internal pressure the drive body fits between rolling bodies 12 but, when the fluid is received and there is a subsequent increase in pressure and associated increase in volume, it advances rolling bodies 12 in flow direction S of the fluid. Springs 13 ensure the contact between rolling bodies 12 and drive body 2 in any situation. In the shown preferred embodiment the springs 13 are cup springs. It is generally sufficient for at least some of rolling bodies 12 to be biased in the direction of drive body 2. In the shown preferred embodiment the upper rolling body is biased in downward direction. Both hose halves can be pressed so stiffly onto each other that there is practically no leakage between the space upstream and downstream of the rolling bodies. In order to create a better pressing surface the rolling bodies can be provided with rubber or a similar material.

In the shown preferred embodiment frame 10 is provided on either side with wheels 14. Frame 10 can hereby travel over a ground surface. If the ground surface is sufficiently smooth, it is also possible to dispense with wheels 14. Frame 10 can then be embodied for instance as sled.

Frame 10 is provided with a coupling (not shown) for the purpose of displacing the objects. The transport device according to the invention can be applied universally and the coupling can be adapted to the intended application.

Transport device 1 can for instance be applied to displace bricks.

Transport device 1 can for instance co-act with the clamping device from the above-mentioned Netherlands patent application NL2009054 in a paving machine. The coupling is preferably formed from slide members and/or drag members. Two transport devices according to the invention can be placed substantially transversely of each other in a paving machine, wherein the one transport device is arranged raised to some extent relative to the other. One of the two transport devices 1 can then be provided with drag members, while the other transport device is provided with slide members. Bricks can be laid in bond by displacing the bricks substantially transversely of each other in an X-direction as well as a Y-direction. The bricks laid in bond can then be picked up clampingly by means of the clamping device of

NL2009054.

Figure 4 illustrates schematically laying of bricks 100 in bond using a device according to the invention. The device according to the invention comprises two transport devices 1 . The first transport device 1 displaces bricks 100 in X-direction and the second transport device 1 displaces bricks 100 in Y-direction.

The first transport device 1 is provided with a number of drag members

21 . Figure 5A shows a drag member 21 schematically in a first position. Figure 5B shows a drag member 21 schematically in a second position. Drag member 21 is mounted for pivoting about axis 24 counter to bias. Drag member 21 is provided with contact pins 22 and 23. As soon as contact pin 22 makes contact with brick 100, drag member 21 pivots to the second position in which contact pin 23 also makes contact with brick 100. Drag member 21 can then guide each brick 100 to a desired position as shown in figure 6A.

The second transport device 1 is provided with a number of slide members 25. Figures 6A, 6B and 6C show schematically a slide member 25 with bricks 100 during three different stages of laying the bricks in bond.

Slide member 25 takes a generally W-shaped form. The tips of slide member 25 make first contact with several of the bricks 100 at a position out of the centre of the brick, close to the end surface of the brick. As a result the bricks rotate and come to lie in the W-shape. Slide member 25 slides bricks 100 in the W-pattern to a predetermined position. The device repeats the displacement of a group of bricks, first in X-direction and then in Y-direction, until a bond of multiple groups of bricks is realized. This bond of bricks can be picked up clampingly using a clamping device suitable for the purpose (for instance from NL2009054) and laid in a single operation.

A paving machine provided with a device according to the invention is highly suitable for handling irregularly shaped bricks, such as used bricks.

In another application the coupling can be configured to displace a container. A container can be envisaged which has to be displaced substantially linearly relative to a stationary further device. A possible application is the displacement of a container with poultry relative to a spray device such as are used for vaccinating poultry.

In yet another application the transport device according to the invention can function as lifting device. Through a suitable choice of the coupling the transport device can for instance serve as lifting aid for lifting objects.

The invention is of course not therefore limited to the described and shown preferred embodiment, but extends to any embodiment falling within the scope of protection as defined in the claims and as seen in the light of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings.

Claims

1 . Device provided with two transport devices, wherein the transport devices are disposed for movement substantially transversely of each other, and each comprise a displaceable frame and a drive for displacing the frame, wherein the drive comprises a drive body configured to increase in volume when receiving a fluid, which drive body is connectable to means for supplying the fluid to the drive body, wherein the drive body has a generally elongate form and the frame is disposed for displacement in longitudinal direction of the drive body, wherein a first transport device is configured to displace bricks in a first direction, and wherein a second transport device is configured to displace bricks in a second direction lying substantially transversely of the first direction for the purpose of laying the bricks in bond.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first or the second transport device is provided with drag members for dragging a number of bricks.

3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first or the second transport device is provided with slide members for sliding a number of bricks.

4. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the drive body is connectable at opposite outer ends to the means for supplying the fluid to the drive body.

5. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the frame comprises at least two rolling bodies located some mutual distance from each other, wherein the drive body extends between the rolling bodies.

6. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising biasing means for biasing at least some of the rolling bodies in the direction of the drive body.

7. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the drive body is a filling body fillable with liquid.

8. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the drive body is an air-inflatable drive body.

9. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the drive body is a hose.

10. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the frame is provided with wheels.

1 1 . Paving machine provided with a device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims.

12. Paving machine as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein one of the two transport devices is arranged higher than the other transport device.

13. Paving machine as claimed in claim 1 1 or 12, further comprising a clamping device for clampingly picking up the bricks laid in bond.

14. Paving machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the clamping device is provided with a drive body as described as component of the device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the clamping device is driven by increase in volume of the drive body in transverse direction thereof.