WO2024047242A1

WO2024047242A1 - Device for attaching a cable to a pallet

Info

Publication number: WO2024047242A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/074069
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raphaël LETRILLART
Original assignee: K-Ryole
Priority date: 2022-09-02
Filing date: 2023-09-01
Publication date: 2024-03-07
Also published as: FR3139323A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for attaching a cable to a pallet (10), the pallet (10) comprising a deck (11) connected to a base (14) by blocks, each block delimiting, with adjacent blocks, lifting fork holes, the device comprising a first part bearing attachment means for a cable and a second part for retaining the first part on the pallet (10), the first part comprising two longitudinal arms (20, 21) that are connected together by a connecting wall (26) and exhibit a spacing designed to allow the engagement of each arm (20, 21) in a fork hole, on either side of a block of the pallet, the second part being a removable retaining bar that connects the arms together.

Description

DEVICE FOR HANGING A CABLE ON A PALLET

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device allowing the attachment of a cable on a pallet of the type comprising a floor connected to a base by studs, each stud delimiting with adjacent studs passages for lifting forks of a forklift or any similar device comprising lifting forks.

The device according to the invention is intended to be fixed on a pallet to allow it to be loaded (or unloaded) onto a trailer, a platform or any other mobile or fixed support.

STATE OF THE ART

Among the systems used to lift or haul a load, and in particular a pallet, we know those using cables. To do this, it is customary to provide pallets incorporating devices for attaching cables to the pallet.

Patent application US2012/0048155 describes an example of a pallet incorporating a hanging device. To do this, the pallet includes a base provided with a slot sized and configured to receive the loop of a cable. The hanging device comprises a first vertical plate welded to the side wall and a second vertical plate spaced apart and parallel to the first vertical plate forming a space aligned with the slot, the first and second plates being provided respectively with a opening arranged facing each other. The hooking device further comprises a removable locking element comprising an arm having one end provided with a pin dimensioned and configured to slide in the openings of the first and second vertical plates. The cable is attached as follows. The loop carried at the end of the cable is positioned through the slot in the pallet provided for this purpose, the removable locking element initially being in a position clear of the openings of the first and second vertical plates. Once the buckle is in position aligned with the openings, the removable locking member is engaged with the base by sliding the dowel into the opening of the second vertical plate, through the loop, and into the opening of the first plate vertical to fix the cable to the pallet along an insertion axis. In this position, the dowel forms an attachment point around which the cable attaches to the pallet.

The disadvantage of the solution proposed in the aforementioned patent application is that it requires the presence of the unlocking device permanently on the pallet and therefore that each pallet be equipped with a locking device. Furthermore, in the case of loading by towing, the proposed solution requires the use of at least two cables to avoid any shifting of the pallet when loading or unloading it.

It is also known from document USD315239 a device for pulling a pallet, comprising a main body having an opening for the engagement of a hooking means, such as for example a cable and, opposite the opening, two longitudinal arms intended to engage on either side of a stud of the pallet, each arm supporting a fin having a curved end intended to abut against a crosspiece or a floor slat of the pallet, and thus maintain and drive the pallet when pulling the device into place on it. The disadvantage of such an arrangement is that the ends of the fins easily disengage from the pallet, particularly in the event of offset or diagonal traction of the pallet. Furthermore, stopping the traction of the pallet necessarily causes the blades of the pallet to disengage. Traction of the pallet including traction stopping phases therefore inevitably leads to disengagement of the device, resulting in a loss of time due to having to reposition the latter on the pallet.

The invention aims to remedy the problems of the aforementioned prior art devices by proposing a device allowing the attachment of a cable on a pallet for the purpose of moving the latter, the assembly of which on the pallet is simple and quick and whose retention on the pallet is ensured independently of the direction and intensity of the traction force exerted by the cable on the device.

The invention also aims to propose a hooking device allowing mounting on any type of pallet having passages delimited by blocks for engaging forklift forks. More specifically, the invention aims to provide a standard hanging device.

The invention also aims to propose a hooking device making it possible to limit the number of cables necessary to lift or haul a pallet while ensuring that the trajectory of the pallet is maintained during loading or unloading.

The invention also aims to propose a hanging device offering mounting on the pallet without altering the latter.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

For this purpose, and according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a device allowing the attachment of a cable on a pallet, said pallet comprising a floor connected to a base by studs, each stud delimiting with adjacent studs passages lifting forks, the device comprising a first part carrying means for attaching a cable and a second part retaining the first part on the pallet, said first part comprising two longitudinal arms connected together by a connecting wall and having a spacing dimensioned to allow the engagement of each arm in a fork passage, on either side of a pad of the pallet. The invention is remarkable in that the second part is a removable retaining bar connecting the arms together.

Advantageously, each arm has an upper edge provided with a stop fin on the floor, said stop fins extending in a direction opposite to each other.

Advantageously, each arm is provided with a lower edge provided with a support fin on the base, said support fins extending in a direction opposite to each other.

Advantageously, the support fins are arranged to border all or part of the lower edge of the arms.

Advantageously, the arms are connected to each other at one of their ends by a connection wall having a rear face and a front face provided with means for attaching a cable.

Advantageously, the means for attaching a cable are located in the lower part of the connection wall.

Advantageously, the rear face has a recessed part defining a groove for receiving the pallet pad.

Advantageously, the second part is a retaining bar mounted sliding through through holes provided respectively on each of the arms.

Advantageously, the retaining bar comprises two lugs arranged to block the retaining bar on the pallet, mounted on the attachment part.

Advantageously, the first part has a U-shaped cross section.

Advantageously, the hanging device is a removable device.

The hanging device according to the invention thus has the advantage of being able to be mounted quickly and easily on the pallet and of avoiding disengagement of the pallet when it is moved.

It also allows for durable mounting on the pallet, as well as allowing the use of a single cable while ensuring that the trajectory of the pallet is maintained during loading or unloading.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description of the invention which follows with reference to the appended figures and in which:

There represents an exemplary embodiment of a device for attaching a cable to a pallet according to the invention;

There represents a perspective view of the hanging device of the mounted on a pallet;

There represents a detailed view of the hanging device of the mounted on the pallet;

There represents the hanging device of the mounted on a pallet having entry pads of reduced dimensions;

There represents a hanging device according to a variant embodiment;

There represents a front perspective view of the hanging device of the mounted on a pallet;

There represents a perspective view from behind of the hanging device of the .

For greater clarity, identical or similar elements of the different embodiments are identified by identical reference signs in all of the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In relation to Figures 1 to 3, a device 1 is described allowing a cable to be attached to a pallet 10 for the purpose of loading it onto a trailer or any other support, and vice versa its unloading.

The pallet 10 conventionally comprises a floor 11 connected to a base by studs 12 ( ). Each block delimits passages with adjacent blocks to allow the passage of lifting forks of a forklift. The pallet 10 has at least one side face allowing the passage of lifting forks. The face through which the forks engage is designated "entry face 13", the pads delimiting the entry passages 14A, 14B being designated "entry pads 12'".

The attachment device 1 according to the invention comprises a first part 2 carrying means for attaching a cable and a second part having the function of ensuring the retention of the first part on the pallet. The first and second pieces are distinct and independent of each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the second part consists of a retaining bar extending between the arms.

The first part 2 advantageously comprises a U-shaped section, comprising two longitudinal arms 20, 21 connected together at one of their ends by a connecting wall 26. The arms 20, 21 have a spacing dimensioned so that each can engage in a respective entry passage 14A, 14B, on either side of an entry pad 12' of the pallet 10.

Each arm has at least one through hole 30, 31, the holes of each arm 20, 21 being located opposite each other, i.e. aligned with each other coaxially. The retaining bar 4 is configured to slide through these holes.

In the embodiment illustrated on the , the device comprises two series of through holes, one of the series of holes being provided near the free ends of each of the arms 20, 21, the other series of holes being located closer to the connecting wall 26 ( ). The presence of several series of holes thus makes it possible to adapt the positioning of the retaining bar 4 to the size of the entry pad on which the part 2 is mounted. Figures 3 and 4 respectively illustrate the cases in which the retaining bar 4 is arranged to pass through the series of holes closest to the end of the arms ( ) or to pass through the series of holes closest to the connecting wall ( ).

Each arm 20, 21 has an upper edge provided with a fin 22, 23 extending, in the example illustrated perpendicular to said arms 20, 21, in a direction opposite to each other. As will be seen later, these fins 22, 23 have the function of abutting the first part 2 against the lower face of the floor 11 during loading or unloading of the pallet 10. They are hereinafter designated as fins of abutment 22, 23. In the example illustrated on the , the abutment fins are located in the vicinity of the connecting wall.

Each arm 20, 21 has a lower edge provided with a fin 24, 25 extending, in the example illustrated perpendicular to said arms 20, 21, in a direction opposite to each other. As will be seen later, these fins 24, 25 have the function of supporting the base. These fins will hereinafter be designated support fins 24, 25. In the illustrated embodiment, the support fins 24, 25 are arranged to border the lower edge of the arms 20, 21, from the series of holes closest to the end of the arms 20, 21 up to the connecting wall 26.

The connecting wall 26 advantageously comprises two extension wings 27, 28 extending from the front face of said connecting wall and parallel to each other. The extension wings 27, 28 are connected together by an axis carrying the attachment means, of the carabiner type in the example illustrated in the .

In the example illustrated, the wing 27 is formed in one piece with the support fins 24, 25. Advantageously, the extension wing 28 extends parallel to the abutment fins 22, 23. According to an advantageous alternative embodiment, the extension wing 27 is arranged inclined relative to the support fins 24, 25. The angle of attack thus formed makes it possible to facilitate the passage of the hooking device on rollers of drive with which the trailer is equipped.

Advantageously, the rear face of the connecting wall 26 has a recessed part defining a groove 29 for receiving the pallet pad. The groove 29 is arranged and dimensioned to allow the engagement of the first part on a pad of smaller size than that of a traditional pad ( ).

Advantageously, the retaining bar 4 comprises two lugs 40 arranged to block the retaining bar on the pallet 10 when said bar is engaged in the first part. In the illustrated embodiment, the lugs 40 have a spacing from one another slightly greater than the width of a base blade (or a stud). Thus, when the retaining bar 4 is assembled to the first part, the lugs 40 extend on either side of the blade, blocking the sliding movement of the retaining bar 4 on the first part.

The mounting of the hanging device on the pallet 10 is carried out as follows. The first part is placed on the central entry point of the pallet 10, by engaging the arms 20, 21 in the passages located on either side of the central point. Once the first part is in position on the stud, the first part is blocked on the pallet by means of the retaining bar 4. This is engaged in one of the series of holes, depending on whether the stud is engaged. in the main space delimited by the arms 20, 21 or in the second groove 29, until the retaining bar 4 reaches the engagement necessary to position the stopping lugs on either side of a base blade 14.

Once the attachment device is mounted and locked on the pallet 10, the loop at the end of the cable can be passed through the carabiner. During the operation of pulling or hauling the pallet 10 by means of the cable, preferably carried out by means of a winch, the abutment fins 22, 23 prevent any deviation, rotation of the pallet, in particular when the pallet passes over obstacle, while improving the distribution of the forces exerted by the hooking device on the pallet during the loading or unloading operation thereof. This advantage is reinforced by the presence of support fins 24, 25.

There illustrates a variant embodiment of the hanging device of the . In this embodiment, the hanging device takes on all the characteristics of that of the . However, it is distinguished by the dimensioning of the support fins 22, 23 extending over the entire length of the associated arm while the lower part of the arms does not include a support fin. The first part also has a connecting wall 26 dimensioned to extend above the fins 22, 23. The shows the hanging device in place on the pallet 10, the bearing face of the connecting wall resting against the crosspiece located between the blades making up the floor and the pedestal.

The invention is described in the above by way of example. It is understood that those skilled in the art are able to carry out different embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Device for attaching a cable to a pallet (10), said pallet (10) comprising a floor (11) connected to a base (14) by studs, each stud delimiting with adjacent studs fork passages of lifting, the device comprising a first part carrying means for attaching a cable and a second part for retaining the first part on the pallet (10), said first part comprising two longitudinal arms (20, 21) connected to each other by a connecting wall (26) and having a spacing dimensioned to allow the engagement of each arm (20, 21) in a fork passage, on either side of a pad of the pallet, characterized in that the second piece is a removable retaining bar connecting the arms together.
Hooking device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each arm (20, 21) having an upper edge provided with a stop fin (22, 23) on the floor (11), said stop fins (22, 23) extending in a direction opposite to each other.
Hanging device (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that each arm (20, 21) is provided with a lower edge provided with a support fin (24, 25) on the base (14), said support fins (24, 25) extending in a direction opposite to each other.
Hanging device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the support fins (24, 25) are arranged to border all or part of the lower edge of the arms (20, 21).
Hanging device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arms (20, 21) are connected together at one of their ends by a connecting wall (26) having a rear face and a front face provided with means for attaching a cable.
Attachment device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the means for attaching a cable are located in the lower part of the connection wall (26).
Hooking device (1) according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that the rear face has a recessed part defining a receiving groove (29) for the pallet support.
Attachment device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining bar is slidably mounted through through holes (30, 31) provided respectively on each of the arms (20, 21).
Hooking device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the retaining bar comprises two lugs arranged to block the retaining bar on the pallet (10), mounted on the first part.
Hanging device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first part (2) has a U-shaped cross section.