WO2018229517A1

WO2018229517A1 - Pallet for supporting and suspending loads

Info

Publication number: WO2018229517A1
Application number: PCT/HU2018/000026
Authority: WO
Inventors: Katalin Anna KOVÁCS
Original assignee: GYURCSÁNSZKY, László György; GYURCSÁNSZKY, András
Priority date: 2017-06-15
Filing date: 2018-06-11
Publication date: 2018-12-20

Abstract

The invention relates to a double pallet for the storage of loads comprising parallel upper and lower delimiting planes forming a first load-bearing surface (A) and a second load-bearing surface (B), wherein connection seats (3) are recessed in both load-bearing surfaces (A, B), each connection seat (3) having a stabilisation device (4) for preventing relative movement between the load (1) and the pallet (2), said stabilisation device (4) in both load-bearing surfaces (A, B) being fitted facing upwards flush into the seat (3) in the first delimiting plane of the pallet (2) as first load-bearing surface (A) without protruding beyond it, while in the second delimiting plane as second load-bearing surface (B) the stabilisation device (4) faces downwards protruding out of the connection seat (3) beyond the delimiting plane forming a hanging element (41), e.g. a hook, the pallet (2) preferably having a receipt face (9) aiding penetration of the lifters of the loading device.

Description

PALLET FOR SUPPORTING AND SUSPENDING LOADS

The object of the invention relates to a double pallet, mainly for the temporary keeping of loads divided into parts, e.g. for the space-saving storage of solid loads consisting of one or more pieces, or granular or liquid loads held in sacks, where the pallets are placed next to one another in a series of multiple longitudinal storage corridors, the storage corridors have storage levels installed above each other which may be accessed by loading devices, preferably forklifts, every storage level has a corresponding moving track on both its sides for the positioning and longitudinal transporting of the unit loads, the burdens of the stored loads received by the pallets and the moving tracks are transmitted by the longitudinal load-bearing beams and/ or by the lateral load-bearing beams and/ or by the vertical load-bearing beams of the storage corridor to the ground and /or to the constructed load- bearing floor, the shape of the pallets is a flat block with a right-angled parallelogram layout, and at least one of the parallel delimiting edge pairs of its layout preferably has dimensions that conform to international storage standards, and their loading surfaces each form a continuous delimiting plane or a delimiting plane consisting of parts.

For millennia throughout the history of mankind warehousing has been an economic activity demanding great care and planning. Already in the time of the Roman empire buildings and even underground storage places were created where objects, treasures, minerals, products and produce found in nature or created by people could be securely stored for the purpose of later access and use.

By the 20^th century warehousing had become a science as a result of numerous industrial and agricultural products had become mass produced, and the sale of the goods produced deferred to later points in time, more than once as a result of profit-oriented considerations. In recent centuries there has been strong development in the field of agricultural storage, where the multilevel buildings, mainly seed stores, which had existed in the past too, became mechanised, and so it became possible to quickly fill and empty them. These were the "elevator buildings", into which the produce was stored using lifts, and then removed either mechanically or by using gravity (via chutes).

After World War II it became widely known that in the place of the slow-to- construct brick, stone, concrete and reinforced concrete buildings it was more worthwhile to construct storage facilities from steel, as it is four times denser than concrete but still permits the construction of lightweight structures as much less of it is required, in addition it is also suitable for bearing tensile and bending loads.

Steel structure stores are commonly spatial grid structures that are formed by vertical columns, horizontal beam-like supports and grids positioned in various planes interposed between these to provide the spatial rigidity of the structure. Such may be found, for example, in patent specification registration number HU 188376, and, combined with supplementary structural parts, in patent specification registration number US 4 221 296.

A common unique feature of the known metal structure storage facilities and systems is that they are not only suitable for the storage of solid materials of varying size, consistency and appearance, they may also be used for the accommodation of loads that are in a phase other than solid, of varying amount, and that, optionally, consist of so-called unit loads divided into parts.

Metal-structure warehouses usually contain long storage corridors that are lined up next to one another in the lateral direction and contain several storage levels one above the other. At every storage level in the corridors there are usually longitudinal moving tracks, on which the positions of the loads can be changed by sliding or on rollers. The beginning and end of the longitudinal storage corridors are established so that for the purpose of mechanised "feeding" and emptying it is possible to position and remove pallets moved by forklifts at every level of the corridor.

As it can be seen one of the key elements, although not the only one, of modern warehousing is the pallet. Recognising its importance several branches of industry, and shipping and commercial institutions combined forces to internationally unify the form and dimensions of pallets, and, if possible, their multifunction usability. It was in this way that the EUR pallet accepted by the European Union was created and became widely used.

The EUR pallet, just like numerous other earlier pallets made of wood, are usually made of wood and are supported and made rigid with wooden longitudinal and/ or lateral supports. The common feature of the known pallets is that they have at least two pipe-like passages into which - with the pallet usually having a right-angled parallelogram shape - loading machines, usually forklifts, can penetrate with their forks from at least the one delimiting side. In this way the loading machines are able to move the pallet along with the load on it.

Reference is only made to a number of more developed pallets that can be moved with forklift originating from the past one and a half decades. A patent specification registration number HU 210705 of a German applicant discloses a two-part pallet that is suitable for gently moving light fixtures. The pallets must be placed in shipping containers in pairs. The half-pieces really do create a good transporting space, but the roles of the half-pieces cannot be switched, the same half-pallet is not suitable for having the load placed on it and suspended from it.

The also German ironworks has a pallet with registration number HU 225667 which is a steel plate that can be traditionally burdened from above and has a supplementary rib system welded to it on its base. The rib system participates in the shape change occurring due to the effect of the load, and in this way really does have a bracing function. Its disadvantage is that is uses a large amount of material and it production is rather complex.

The pallet developed in Italy, which is disclosed in patent registration number E 003771, is simpler and more economical as is the pallet disclosed in German patent specification number E 010299, which is based on similar ideas. Both are economical in terms of their use of materials, as the flat load- bearing surface in the case of one of them is supported by ribs of the same material as the load-bearing surface, and the other is supported by a multitude of feet made from the same material, and in this way increasing the moment of inertia that works in response to the bending burden. Both are economic in terms of their use of materials, but it is not preferable that they have not components suitable for the stabilisation of the loads, therefore their securing must be ensured separately.

A further disadvantage of some of the known pallets is that they are made of wood or plastic, and so they are vulnerable to damage. The wood of the pallets may get damaged on every occasion when the steel forks of forklifts penetrate the pallet, and even sometimes when they are withdrawn. Another unfavourable feature is that according to previous storage ideas the loads were consistently placed on the top of the pallet. This was more or less acceptable for the placing of solid materials, but did not prove to be preferable in other cases.

Such as, for example, when films, bag, sacks, sheeting were used as the packaging of smaller or larger amounts of granulates, powders, loose material. In numerous cases, mainly in the case of materials with low internal friction, they collapsed, fell apart, and so the flexible walls of the receptacle bulged out. The consequence of all this way that the levels of the delimiting corridors of the storage systems uneconomically used the available space, in other words they store lots of air. Utility model registration number HU 4343 and patent application number P 1000626 were based on the recognition of this phenomenon, where the loads are not placed on the pallets but suspended by them. This idea is obviously space saving, as the sacks with flexible delimiting walls are unable to bulge outwards. As a result, the literature does not even call these storage units pallets, instead they are designated with the word accessible pallet. The aforementioned very modern solutions disclose steel storage corridors, which are especially suitable for the suspended storage of unit loads.

The objective of the invention is the development of a double pallet that retains all of the preferable characteristics of the "single" pallets known of to date, and that overcomes their deficiencies, and embodies a structural solution with which the same pallet can be used for the space saving storage of loads that, in the one case, are placed on them, and, in the other case, are suspended from them.

Within this the task also includes that the pallet should be structurally simple, make economic use of materials, and in addition be able to quickly change its role without any change being made or components being fitted or removed, and be able to perform both these roles at an identical standard of quality.

It is also intended that the pallets and the storage equipment as a whole mutually adapt to each other. The latter, for example, should have both a horizontal and a sloped moving track, its storage corridors should be suitable for storing and moving pallets fulfilling different roles on neighbouring sides. All this should make the fast installation and dismantling of the system as a whole, and, furthermore, the efficient execution of the storage and emptying processes in a short amount of time.

In accordance with the set objective double pallet according to the invention for the temporary keeping of loads divided into parts e.g. for the space-saving storage of solid loads consisting of one or more pieces, or granular or liquid loads held in sacks, - where the pallets are placed next to one another in a series of multiple longitudinal storage corridors, the storage corridors have storage levels installed above each other which may be accessed by loading devices, preferably forklifts, every storage level has a corresponding moving track on both its sides for the positioning and longitudinal transporting of the unit loads, the burdens of the stored loads received by the pallets and the moving tracks are transmitted by the longitudinal load-bearing beams and /or by the lateral load-bearing beams and/ or by the vertical load -bearing beams of the storage corridor to the ground and /or to the constructed load- bearing floor, the shape of the pallets is a flat, straight block with a right- angled parallelogram layout, and at least one of the parallel delimiting edge pairs of its layout preferably has dimensions that conform to international storage standards, and their loading surfaces each form a continuous delimiting plane or a delimiting plane consisting of parts, established in such a way that the parallel upper and lower delimiting planes of the pallet form a first load-bearing surface and a second load-bearing surface, there are identically structured connection seats recessed in both the load-bearing surfaces, each connection seat has a corresponding stabilisation device suitable for preventing the relative movement between the load and the pallet, which stabilisation device in both load-bearing surfaces is fitted facing upwards flush into the seat in the first delimiting plane of the pallet as first load-bearing surface without protruding beyond it, while in the second delimiting plane as second load-bearing surface the stabilisation device faces downwards protruding out of the connection seat as a result of its own weight beyond the delimiting plane forming a hanging element, e.g. a hook, and the pallet preferably has a receipt face aiding penetration of the lifters of the loading device, preferably the lifting forks of a forklift.

A further feature of the double pallet may be that the receipt face has a convex surface and/or one or more deflector planes facing the penetrating lifting device guiding the penetrating device into the guide passage. The opening of the guide passage appearing at the receipt face is provided with a high-strength and wear-resistant edging frame. The strength and wear- resistance of the edging frame exceeds the strength and wear-resistance of the penetrating lifting device.

In the case of a preferable embodiment of the pallet the number of the connection seats in the load-bearing surfaces is at least four, but preferably at least eight, of which two, but preferably four are located in the vicinity of the corners of the first load-bearing surface and a further four are located in the vicinity of the corners of the second load-bearing surface. In the case of two connection seats per load-bearing surface they are located at the diagonally opposite corners of the load-bearing surfaces.

In the case of another preferable embodiment the connection seats or a part of them are through hollows opening out to the load-bearing surfaces and connecting them up to each other. The stabilisation devices of the connection seats are supplemented with additional connection elements, e.g. ropes or nets, which are optionally accessories of the longitudinal storage corridor and /or of the stored loads.

The pallet has at least one resting surface suitable for the sliding movement of unit loads along the storage corridor. The unit loads have elements suitable for their movement along the storage corridor on rollers, such as wheels or rollers.

In the case of any possible embodiment it is preferable if the load-bearing surfaces have stabilising elements, e.g. protrusions and correspondingly shaped depressions facilitating the stacked storage of the pallets and fulfilling an orienting role when out of use.

When comparing the double pallet according to the invention the solutions known to date for the space saving storage of mostly unit load and their movement along longitudinal corridors, it has numerous preferable characteristics. The majority of these are derived from the basic recognitions. Namely from that it is able to double the unifunctional nature of the known pallets. In other words the same pallet is suitable for supporting loads and bearing suspended loads without any structural changes being necessary.

The aforementioned variability means that the storage of mainly unit loads and their movement at the storage location always takes place in a way and situation that corresponds to the nature of the stored material - its volume, physical state, consistency, internal friction, etc. In other words it also means that optionally the stored and neighbouring pallets do not "work" with the same load-bearing surface.

Although the pallet according to the invention may be made from any material, investigations have shown that their production from steel involves a whole series of practical advantages. These include that the components may be connected to each other in line with their tasks, by both molecular bonding (welding, gluing) and with releasable connections (screws), they can be easily made corrosion-resistant and even hygienic, their weight does not vary (as opposed to wooden EUR pallets), and they are easy to clean effectively. It is also preferable that in the case they are dismantled every part of them may be reused, as is characteristic of steel structures.

The invention is presented in detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to figures, wherein

Figure 1 depicts storage corridors installed next to one another suitable for the storage of the double pallets according to the invention,

Figure 2 is the top view of a single double pallet,

Figure 3 depicts a possible embodiment of the left corner of the top view shown in figure 2 in enlarged scale,

Figure 4 depicts the bottom view of one of the corners of the panel shown in figure 2,

Figure 5 depicts a detail of the side view of the double pallet,

Figure 6 shows the bottom view of the double pallet,

Figure 7 shows a possible embodiment of one of the corners of the bottom view shown in figure 6 in enlarged scale, Figure 8 shows a stack of the double pallets when out of use.

Figure 1 illustrates the pallets 2 according to the invention in warehouse position, in a case where every one of the loads 1 is located on the upper first load-bearing surface A of its own pallet 2. In this case the load 1 is burdened on the pallet 2 with the force of its own weight, and optionally the weight of the load 1 may be suitable for the stabilisation of the stored material on the first load-bearing surface A without the use of any additional fixing devices.

As illustrated in figure 1 the pallets 2 are located in four storage corridors 5 constructed next to one another, and in each of them they take up three storage levels on top of one another. On all the levels the pallets 2 may select their positions along the moving tracks 51 in the longitudinal direction of the storage corridors 5. The known devices, preferably forklifts serve the purpose of the moving and are not an object of the present invention. Optionally the moving tracks 51 may be of a sloped construction from their "input" end towards their "output" end.

Along the moving tracks 51 the edges of the pallets 2 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the storage corridors 5, according to the example, are fitted with either sliding surfaces 6 or with wheels 7 making them suitable for being moved on rollers. The former embodiment can be seen on the lowest storage level, while the latter can be seen on the two further storage levels located above it. In both cases the lateral edges of the pallets 2 perpendicular to these have a receipt face 9 serving for the penetration of the forks of the forklifts.

The pallets 2 are called "double pallets" because contrary to that depicted in figure 1 the loads 1 cannot only be placed on the upper first load-bearing surface A, but loads 1 may also be suspended from the second load-bearing surface B of the same pallets 2. This method of placing the loads 1 is primarily preferable if due to the loads 1 being in liquid state or even in powder form they are packaged in large sacks, so-called "big bags" to use the professional jargon. The placing of loads 1 by suspending them is preferable especially because it makes it possible to secure the aforementioned loads 1 in a more space saving and stable way than ever before. In addition that known and unfavourable phenomenon is prevented that is manifested in the form of the sacks containing liquids or powders bulging out or "roaming" on the resting surface. Due to this the pallets were unevenly loaded, and this could cause them becoming stuck or their movement obstructed in the storage corridors 5.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of one pallet 2 shown from above without the slider or roller parts that facilitate their movement. For example, the pallet 2 is a flat block with a square layout and as a result of the layout of its delimiting edges, however it is oriented, it may be placed both laterally and longitudinally in the storage corridor 5. Due to this all four sides of the pallet 2 are provided with a receipt face 9.

The most important elements of the receipt faces 9 are the guide passages 93, which serve to accommodate the lifting forks of the forklifts. The lifting forks do not penetrate the guide passages 93 especially gently, therefore it is worthwhile reinforcing their openings. The edging frames 94 are designed for this purpose. The upwards-facing first load-bearing surface A of the pallet 2 is provided with depressions 22. Here eight of them can be seen, but fewer are also sufficient. Their purpose is to fix their positions relative to each other when stacking the pallets 2 when not in use by these depressions 22 being able to accommodate the protrusions 21 , not visible, of another pallet 2 above it.

It can also be seen in figure 2 that the pallet 2 is provided with through hollows 31, preferably located near to the corners. These open out to both the first load-bearing surface A and to the second load-bearing surface B, and are suitable for threading through the straps 11 connected to the loads suspended under the pallet 2. The upper end of the straps 11 has a hook 11a, which can be connected to the stabilising devices 4 not depicted here, while the strap 11 itself may be fixed to the suspended load 1 in a known way. The first load-bearing surface A and the second load-bearing surface B in the present embodiment are formed by surface-treated flat steel plates and the at least one spacer plate 8 interposed between them serves stability against dents.

Figure 3 illustrates a possible method of fixing the strap 11 that may be positioned from the first load-bearing surface A. Here the through hollow 31 opening out to the two load-bearing surfaces is combined with a support trough 33 with an axis perpendicular to the axis of the through hollow 31 , and, a lifting eye 32 established as a straight cylindrical pin, for example, can rest in it. The lifting eye 32 is threaded through the hook 11c of the strap 11 , and so the force exerted by the load 1 onto the strap 11 is transferred via the lifting eye 32 to the support trough 33 and from there to the pallet 2 itself.

Figure 4 shows one of the lower corners of the pallet 2 in the case when the load 1 is secured to the pallet 2 with a rope 42 connected to the hanging element 41. In the case of this embodiment among the depressions 22 at least two on the second load-bearing surface B of the pallet 2 are provided with a hanging element 41 firmly connected to it, into which the rope 42 of the load 1 can be hooked.

Figure 5 illustrates a short intermediate section of a side view of the pallet 2, where one of the guide passages 93 of the receipt face 9 reinforced with an edging frame 94 can be seen. Penetration of the lifting forks of the forklift can be facilitated if a convex surface 91 is established at each of the sides of the opening of the guide passage 93 (to the left and right), which guide the ends of the lifting forks relatively "softly" inside the guide passages 93. The guide surfaces 91 may be each replaced with a piece of steel angle section with their edges facing outwards. In such a case the steel angle sections are next to the guide passage 93 (to the right and left) each forming a deflector plane to guide the ends of the lifting forks into the desired position.

Figure 6 illustrates the bottom view of the pallet 2, which here also is a square based flat block. Four protrusions 21 hang downwards at the middle of the side edges of the second load-bearing surface B, which are accommodated by the depressions 22, already presented, in the first load- bearing surface A of the pallet 2 under it when the pallets 2 are stacked on each other. A through hollow 31 is located at each of the four corners of the pallet 2, and the lifting eyes 32 rest in the support troughs 33 at their upper end. Usually at least two straps 11 suspending the load 1 are required, and are positioned diagonally opposite each other.

Figure 7 depicts one of the lower corners of the pallet 2 viewed from the second load-bearing surface B. Here also the connection seats 3 are suitable for accommodating the protrusions 21 (which has not been performed here), while the strap 11 is threaded through the through hollow 31 , which holds the load 1, not illustrated, suspended from the pallet 2. Here also the transfer of the weight of the load 1 to the pallet 2 is performed by the lifting eyes 32 inserted in the support troughs 33.

Figure 8 shows four pallets 2 stacked up onto each other when out of use. Each of the eight depressions 22 located on the first load-bearing surface A of the pallets 2 are suitable for accommodating a protrusion 21 inserted from above. In the simplest case the protrusion 21 is a fitting pin, of which the positioning of two is sufficient along a meeting plane (load-bearing surfaces A and B). The upper ends of the through hollows 31 are supplemented with support troughs 33, which here do not include the lifting eyes 32. The pallets 2 have a square base, therefore each of their sides has a receipt face 9 provided with guide passages 93.

The application technology significance of the double pallet according to the invention lies in that, in addition to the primary technical and economic advantages, it has numerous features that involve practical versatility and usefulness. Some of these are related to the selection of the material to be steel, such as strength and flexibility characteristics, and ease of cleaning, due to which they are suitable for meeting high hygiene requirements. Additionally due to their basic material or surface treatment they can be made resistant to corrosion, contrary to wood, its moisture absorption is practically non-existent, and contrary to certain high-strength plastics it is not prone to changing shape, it is hollow therefore its internal space may be easily filled to varying degrees thereby making its weight constant, and due to its resistance to effects by frost, it can be stored outside.

Claims

I . Double pallet for the temporary keeping of loads divided into parts e.g. for the space-saving storage of solid loads consisting of one or more pieces, or granular or liquid loads held in sacks, where the pallets are placed next to one another in a series of multiple longitudinal storage corridors, the storage corridors have storage levels installed above each other which may be accessed by loading devices, preferably forklifts, every storage level has a corresponding moving track on both its sides for the positioning and longitudinal transporting of the unit loads, the burdens of the stored loads received by the pallets and the moving tracks are transmitted by the longitudinal load-bearing beams and/ or by the lateral load-bearing beams and/ or by the vertical load- bearing beams of the storage corridor to the ground and/ or to the constructed load-bearing floor, the shape of the pallets is a flat, straight block with a right-angled parallelogram layout, and at least one of the parallel delimiting edge pairs of its layout preferably has dimensions that conform to international storage standards, and their loading surfaces each form a continuous delimiting plane or a delimiting plane consisting of parts, characterised by that the parallel upper and lower delimiting planes of the pallet (2) form a first load- bearing surface (A) and a second load-bearing surface (B), there are identically structured connection seats (3) recessed in both the load- bearing surfaces (A, B), each connection seat (3) has a corresponding stabilisation device (4) suitable for preventing the relative movement between the load ( 1) and the pallet (2) , which stabilisation device (4) in both load-bearing surfaces (A, B) is fitted facing upwards flush into the seat (3) in the first delimiting plane of the pallet (2) as first load- bearing surface (A) without protruding beyond it, while in the second delimiting plane as second load-bearing surface (B) the stabilisation device (4) faces downwards protruding out of the connection seat (3) as a result of its own weight beyond the delimiting plane forming a hanging element (41), e.g. a hook, and the pallet (2) preferably has a receipt face (9) aiding penetration of the lifters of the loading device, preferably the lifting forks of a forklift..

2. Double pallet according to claim 1, characterised by that the receipt face (9) has a convex surface (91) and/or one or more deflector planes (92) facing the penetrating lifting device guiding the penetrating device into the guide passage (93) .

3. Double pallet according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by that the opening of the guide passage (93) appearing at the receipt face (9) is provided with a high-strength and wear-resistant edging frame (94).

4. Double pallet according to claim 3, characterised by that the strength and wear-resistance of the edging frame (94) exceeds the strength and wear-resistance of the penetrating lifting device.

5. Double pallet according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised by that the number of the connection seats (3) in the load-bearing surfaces (A, B) is at least four, but preferably at least eight, of which two, but preferably four are located in the vicinity of the corners of the first load-bearing surface (A) and a further four are located in the vicinity of the corners of the second load-bearing surface (B.

6. Double pallet according to claim 5, characterised by that in the case of two connection seats (3) per load-bearing surface (A, B) they are located at the diagonally opposite corners of the load-bearing surfaces (A,B).

7. Double pallet according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised by that the connection seats (3) or a part of them are through hollows (31) opening out to the load-bearing surfaces (A, B) and connecting them up to each other.

8. Double pallet according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised by that the stabilisation devices (4) of the connection seats (3) are supplemented with additional connection elements, e.g. ropes (42) or nets, which are optionally accessories of the longitudinal storage corridor (5) and/ or of the stored loads (1).

9. Double pallet according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised by that the pallet (2) has at least one resting surface (6) suitable for the sliding movement of unit loads (1) along the storage corridor (5).

10. Double pallet according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised by that the unit loads (1) have elements suitable for their movement along the storage corridor (5) on rollers, such as wheels (7) or rollers (8).

11. Double pallet according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised by that the load-bearing surfaces (A, B) have stabilising elements, e.g. protrusions (21) and correspondingly shaped depressions (22) facilitating the stacked storage of the pallets (2) and fulfilling an orienting role when out of use.