EP2495187A1 - Transport element - Google Patents

Abstract

The element (1) has two longitudinal strips (3', 3'', 3''') whose arrangement runs parallel to each other. The longitudinal strips are extended in a longitudinal direction (X) and in a transverse cross-direction (Y). Multiple dollies (2) are positioned one behind the other in an X-direction and/or side by side in a Y-direction on the arrangement. An introduction channel (6) is provided above the arrangement, and extends between bases (7) of the dollies in the X-direction. The introduction channel accommodates a skid or a bracket of a lifting element.

Description

The present invention relates to a transport element for receiving movable goods on the model of a pallet.

From the transportation a variety of transport elements are known, the purpose of the temporary admission of goods is to be able to transport them on the pallets lying on.

Also known are so-called dollies, which pursue essentially the same purpose. Dollies are usually designed as skateboards, which is arranged under a typically rectangular support plate at each corner of a roll. Thus, goods stacked on the dollies can be manually moved or moved over smaller distances. In contrast, conventional pallets (europallets) are always moved with the help of lifting elements (pallet truck, forklift, etc.) and usually equipped with higher loads than the dollies.

The object of the invention is to provide a system for transporting and storing stocked dollies, which is designed to be as flat and weight-saving and at the same time allows the handling of dollies in the most versatile way possible.

The object is achieved by a transport element according to claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

The invention is based on the knowledge of being able to position several dollies simultaneously on an arrangement of several longitudinal strips arranged parallel to one another and thereby allowing both the targeted removal of individual or all dollies from the longitudinal strip arrangement or also the transport of the entire longitudinal strip arrangement with dollies standing thereon Use of common lifting elements. The transport element according to the invention provides at least above the preferably longitudinally abzustellenden longitudinal strip assembly to provide a retraction channel, the interior of which is designed to accommodate standard lifting elements (tines of a forklift or a lift truck). The entry channel is advantageously designed and positioned on the Längsleistensanordnung that the roles of a standing up on the Längsleistensanordnung Dollies down on both sides along the Einfahrkanals on the Längsleistensanordnung and get up, so that the Dolly can drive over it virtually along the Einfahrkanals.

In contrast to the known from the prior art pallets, the present transport element is characterized by the particularly flat design, which is just achieved by the fact that the roles of Dollies are laterally to the entry channel and thus at about the same height with the inserted therein lifting element. In conventional Euro pallets, however, the goods to be transported is always completely above a level which is acted upon by the forks of a forklift or lift truck from below.

The transport element according to the invention thus comprises a longitudinal strip arrangement which extends in a longitudinal direction X and a transverse direction Y transverse thereto and preferably has the horizontal dimensions of a standard Euro pallet. The arrangement of the longitudinal strips preferably corresponds to the structure which results when a continuous base plate is subdivided by recesses extending in the longitudinal direction X into individual strips lying parallel to one another. The recesses between the longitudinal strips advantageously reduce the weight of the transport element and allow the ground level or retracting near tines of a forklift or other lifting element, the individual longitudinal strips remain connected by means of individual channel sections in the Y direction.

On the longitudinal strip arrangement, several dollies can be positioned in alignment one behind the other in the X direction and / or next to one another in the Y direction. Furthermore, there is above the Längsleistensanordnung and below the support plate of an upstanding on the Längsleistensanordnung Dollies an entry channel extending in the X direction. He lies between the (right and left) feet of a or a plurality of dollies arranged one behind the other in the X-direction, these feet preferably being designed as rollers.

The entry channel is designed to receive the skid or fork or a tine of a lifting device. By inserting such a tine (expediently two parallel Einfahrkanale provided for receiving the fork of a forklift or lift truck), the transport element can then be raised and spent.

An advantageous embodiment of the transport element according to the invention further provides that the at least one entry channel is provided with at least one outbreak, which divides the channel into individual channel sections. The outbreak is designed so that the tines or the fork of a lifting device can be inserted at right angles to the entry channel through this, so as to be able to pick up the transport element quasi rotated by 90 °. Conveniently, the at least one breakout is arranged such that the tine is also arranged in this insertion direction between the (in this case, front and rear) rollers of at least one dolly standing on the longitudinal rail arrangement. This results in the additional advantage that the transport element can be driven from all four sides with a lift truck or forklift to raise it. In both cases, the roles of upstanding on the transport dollies enough laterally to the imported tines down to the Längsleistensanordnung down, which allows the particularly flat design.

The above-described outbreak may be formed, for example as a breakthrough, which pierces the two substantially perpendicular parallel side walls of the Einfahrkanals perpendicular, wherein the two side walls interconnecting upper portion of the Einfahrkanals (which preferably runs parallel to the Längsleistensanordnung) remains. By lifting the lifting element, this then engages under the upper horizontal portion of the entry channel and lifts it and thus the entire transport element (with or without Dollies standing on it) vertically upwards.

In continuation of this idea, another embodiment allows the particularly flexible handling of the dollies. First, it is to be assumed that the entry channel is essentially formed from a U-shaped profile, which is open towards the longitudinal strip arrangement, the legs of the U-section being in a vertical direction Z, perpendicular to the X and Y directions extend. As explained above, the outbreak may relate exclusively to the two parallel legs of the U-cross section, so that the channel is raised by lifting the tine and the transport element is raised with it.

An inventive development additionally provides that in addition to the two legs of the U-cross section of the eruption and the upper leg connecting the two legs detected or eliminated. In this case, the entry channel is open at the side and upward (in the Y and Z directions) in the area of the breakout. It follows that lifting a introduced into the outbreak at right angles to the entry channel lifting this leaves the entry channel in the vertical direction, without applying the lifting element to the lifting force. Instead, the lifting element is moved from below against one or more of the upstanding on the Längsleistensanordnung dollies to lift only and remove them from the Längsleistensanordnung or the transport element.

Conversely, several arranged on the tines or the fork of a lifting element Dollies can be arranged by vertical lowering on the transport element according to the invention by the fork or tines are lowered into the outbreaks of at least one entry channel.

This makes it clear that the transport element according to the invention for particularly flexible handling of single or even several dollies is suitable. The transport element together with the dollies can thus be moved and moved, for example, that the fork of a lifting element is retracted into two above the Längsleistensanordnung arranged retraction channels, while above the retraction dollies are arranged, their feet or rollers on both sides of the Einfahrkanäle to the individual Lean longitudinal strips of Längsleistensanordnung down and stand securely on the Längsleistensanordnung. Lifting the fork or tines becomes the upper limit extending in the YX direction the Einfahrkanäle (the cross-connection of the two legs of the U-profile) acted upon by the lifting force, whereby the entire transport element can be raised and moved with the upstanding dollies.

If, on the other hand, individual dollies are deliberately removed from the transport element, then the fork of a fork-lift truck, for example, can reach under the dollies by being laterally retracted transversely to the longitudinal direction of the entry channels into the outbreaks provided therein. The opening channels open at these outbreaks are then not in the way of the lifting movement of the fork, so that it only engages under the dollies resting on the longitudinal strip arrangement and lifts off from the longitudinal strip arrangement or the transport element.

As will be apparent from the description of the figures, the transport element according to the invention is particularly suitable for receiving four dollies, which can be placed side by side or in alignment with each other on the Längsleistensanordnung in the sense of a 2 x 2 matrix and thereby approximately the horizontal dimensions cover the Längsleistensanordnung. With two parallel entry channels then each two dollies rest in alignment in the X direction one behind the other, while the associated entry channel extends between the roles of these dollies in the X direction. Transverse to the X-direction of each entry channel is preferably provided with two outbreaks, each an outbreak of the first channel in the Y direction is aligned with a corresponding outbreak in the adjacent entry channel. If the forks of a forklift drive into the entry channels, then the entire transport element can be moved with the dollies. On the other hand, if the fork is retracted into the cutouts transversely to the entry channels, the dollies can be lifted while the transport element remains on the ground.

For particularly secure guidance of the dollies provides a further advantageous embodiment of the invention to provide on both sides of the at least one entry channel raceways for the support feet of the dollies to push them in the X direction easier on the transport element or can drive. Although the dollies are preferably provided with rollers to easily move them manually, the feet can also be designed as runners or other suitable support elements be. The raceways are used to safely guide and stabilize the dollies against movements in the Y direction, ie transverse to the rolling direction.

In order to further facilitate the placement of the dollies on the transport element, a further embodiment provides that at the beginning of the raceways Auffahrschrägen are provided which facilitate the pushing or driving the dollies on the Längsleistensanordnung.

Another aid for stabilizing the dollies according to the invention is that along the entry channel on its outside guide means are provided to stabilize the dollies or their support legs laterally. These guide means may extend in the manner of a rail over the whole or parts of the length of the retraction channel. This is achieved particularly expediently by integrally forming the rails as part of the entry channel. For example, the legs of the inverted U-profile which extend towards the longitudinal strip arrangement may comprise a section directed perpendicularly outwards in the Y-direction, to which in turn adjoins a rail section protruding freely in the Z-direction from the longitudinal strip arrangement, which functions as the lateral guide of the Dollys or his roles takes over. The respectively provided between the rail and the legs of the U-profile, extending in the Y direction connecting portion rests on the respective longitudinal bar and can also serve to screw the entry channel with the Längsleistensanordnung or connect in any other way.

Preferably, therefore, a retraction channel can be produced from a planar sheet-metal body by a bending guide each adjacent to each other a guide rail, a fastening strip, a first leg of the U-profile, a connecting web of the U-profile, an adjoining second leg of the U-profile, a second fastening strip and finally a second guide rail is formed. This allows in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner, the production of the transport element according to the invention, which requires only a suitable arrangement of longitudinal strips in addition to this sheet metal construction.

In order to secure the dollies arranged on the longitudinal strip arrangement in their position, a further embodiment of the invention also provides, on both sides of the entry channel locking means, in particular locking recesses to secure at least temporarily designed preferably as rollers support legs of the dollies. When putting on or driving the dollies the roles get into the aforementioned wells, so that the unintentional procedure of Dollies is difficult or prevented.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Transportelements mit einem aufgesetzten Dolly, und

Fig. 2

das Transportelement gemäß Fig. 1 mit vier aufgesetzten Dollies.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained below with reference to a figure example. It shows

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a transport element according to the invention with an attached Dolly, and

Fig. 2

the transport element according to Fig. 1 with four patched dollies.

This in Fig. 1 The transporting element 1 shown comprises a longitudinal strip arrangement 3 consisting of three longitudinal strips 3 ', 3' and 3 "'which are aligned parallel to each other, the shape of their common arrangement 3 having a substantially rectangular shape Above the longitudinal strip arrangement, two entry channels 6 with a substantially U-shaped cross section are arranged, which extend in the X-direction and lie parallel to each other The entry channels 6 are arranged such that two each in the X-direction aligned in a row on the longitudinal strip assembly 3 dollies 2 (each having a support plate 5 and arranged on the underside of their feet or rollers 7) record a retraction channel between their roles.

Each entry channel 6 is also provided with two outbreaks 8, whereby each entry channel is divided into individual channel sections 6a, 6b and 6c. The Einfahrkanäle 6 are in the area of the outbreaks 8 laterally and upwardly completely open and are so wide in the X direction that the aligned in the Y direction tines of a lifting element or forklift from above down to about Längsleistensanordnung 3 in the outbreaks Lower or raise 8.

The individual longitudinal strips 3 ', 3 ", 3'" are connected to each other via the channel sections 6a, 6b, 6c.

In Fig. 2 It can be seen how four dollies 2 have been pushed along tracks 9 on the longitudinal strip assembly 3 of the transport element 1, wherein their rollers 7 come to lie in locking recesses 10. Guide rails 4 are formed integrally with the retraction channels 6.

A lifting element introduced into the entry channels in the X-direction can lift and move the transport element together with the dollies resting on it. If, on the other hand, only the four dollies 2 (or, for example, only one or two of them) are removed from the transport element, then a suitable lifting element in the Y-direction can be moved sufficiently far below the dollies into or the outbreaks 8, around the dollies 2 vertical lifting of the longitudinal strip assembly 3 to solve and move. Conversely, individual or simultaneously several dollies 2 can settle in the same way on a transport element. The transport element 1 according to the invention therefore allows flexible handling, in particular of loaded dollies 2.

Claims (9)

Transport element (1) for receiving movable goods, in particular one or more dollies (2), a) with an arrangement (3) of at least two, preferably mutually parallel longitudinal strips (3 ', 3 ", 3"') which in each case in a longitudinal direction (X) and a transversely extending transverse direction (Y) extend and wherein whose arrangement (3) overall occupies preferably the horizontal dimensions of a standard europallet, b) wherein on the longitudinal strip assembly (3) a plurality of dollies (2) in succession in the X direction and / or side by side in the Y direction are aligned aligned, and c) wherein above the longitudinal strip assembly (3) at least one entry channel (6) is provided, which extends below an on the longitudinal strip assembly (3) positioned dollies (2) between the feet (7) of the doll (2) in the X direction, wherein the entry channel (6) is designed to receive the runner or fork of a lifting element. Transport element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the entry channel (6) is divided by at least one outbreak (8) in channel sections (6a, 6b, 6c), so that in the Y direction extending runner or fork of a lifting element transverse to the longitudinal direction (X) of the entry channel (6) between individual channel sections (6a, 6b, 6c) in the outbreak (8) into or out of it can be moved out. Transport element (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the channel (6) is substantially formed from a U-shaped, in the direction of the arrangement (3) downwardly open profile, wherein the legs of the U-section in extending to the X and Y direction, vertical direction (Z) extending, and wherein the outbreak (8) either the two parallel legs of the U-section or, in addition, also relates to the crosspiece connecting both legs in cross section. Transport element (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the outbreak (8) so interrupts the wall of the retraction channel (6) that the aligned in the Y direction runner or fork in a vertical lowering or lifting movement in the Z direction between the channel sections (6a, 6b, 6c) into or out. Transport element (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that at least two outbreaks (8) of two adjacent Einfahrkanäle in the Y direction are arranged in alignment one behind the other. Transport element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on both sides of the at least one entry channel (6) raceways (9) for the support feet of the dollies (5) are formed. Transport element (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at the beginning of the raceways (9) Auffahrschrägen provided to the dollies easier on the longitudinal strips (3 ', 3 ", 3'") of the longitudinal strip assembly (3) can postpone. Transport element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that along the retraction channel (6) on its outer side guide means are provided, which are preferably formed integrally with the retraction channel (6) and the support feet of Dollies (5), preferably as Rolls are performed, which lead laterally in their movement in the X direction. Transport element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on both sides of the at least one entry channel (6) latching means (10), in particular latching recesses, are provided for temporarily fixing the support feet of the dollies (5), preferably as rollers.

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