ES2317530T3 - DEVICE FOR CARRYING A LOAD. - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for carrying a load, at least during the transport thereof, comprising: - a base (8) that functions as a support in a situation of the device when it is placed on a floor surface; - a carrier (7) for loading on the base at least during use; and - a connection (6, 14, 19) between the base and the carrier, characterized in that the base and the carrier can move away and approach each other freely in a reciprocal manner, and a minimum insertion opening (5) is defined between them in any position of the base and the carrier, whose insertion opening is sized to receive therein an external insertion element such as forklift forks.

Description

Device to carry a load.

The present invention relates to a device for carrying a load, particularly intended, although  not exclusively, for use with a forklift provided of a roller fork, or any other form of device elevator. A roller fork is known, such as the known among others from the patent application International WO-A-02 / 100.760, which It can have a tapered outer end.

Boxes, bags of material formed by particles, etc. are normally placed on devices known and remain on known devices during the transport of these boxes and / or bags, etc. These devices are also known for example as pallets. These have a height fixed and, due to their strength and rigidity, they have been accepted without problems in the past. However, it has also accepted the amount of space that these pallets occupy during the use, while during transport or storage this space has thus been occupied in an inexpensive way by pallet

A device according to the preamble of the attached claim 1, which can function as pallet, is known  from WO-A-03 / 082.688. This has a base or support and a carrier and a connection between the base and the carrier. The connection is formed by folding elements that they should remain in a mounted position once they have been placed in the mounted position. You gain advantage during the pallet transport in a collapsed state to the premiere location. Such known devices do not save space during the transporting them with a load on them, that is, from The premiere place.

EP-A-0.515.578 similarly refers to a device that can work also as pallet, with folding legs that can be considered one base. The construction is comparable to that of a table folding.

Known devices, such as pallets, they share the disadvantage that space cannot be saved with at least not during use with a load on them during transport from the premiere location. In other words, once the known devices have been mounted the intention is that they remain mounted, at least in the case of description according to WO-A-03 / 082.688. The assembly of known devices from this document takes place manually or by means other than an element of external insertion, such as forklifts elevators On a device according to EP-A-0.515.878 is not possible in absolute in a collapsed state of the same insert forks in a pallet formed in this way, so the use is associated necessarily with a mounted state of the device to allow that the forklift forks are inserted in a later stage on or under said devices or pallets. By therefore, during transport with a load on them, the devices known from this publication will always have to be deployed or mounted, and therefore will occupy almost as much space or more space than conventional pallets without possibility of movement of the carrier and the base with respect to each other.

The present invention aims to obviate the disadvantages of the prior art set forth above, for whose purpose a device is provided according to the independent claim 1.

With a device (or pallet) according to this invention space can be saved during transport with a load on the device, and the minimum insertion openings can be enlarged by placing inside the tips of the insertion elements, such as forklifts elevators These forks can find in this way a trajectory inwards and under the devices according to the present invention Therefore, space is saved during the transport with a load on them, and also during the transport of said pallets to a premiere place where the load is placed on the devices.

In this way the distance can be reduced to a minimum in the seated position of the device, while when This device is deployed can allow access for parts or components that are part of a lifting device, such as the forks of a forklift. This way it ensures in all cases that an effective coupling of the device with the forks, while also getting that the device occupies as little space as possible during the transport.

In a preferred embodiment the coupling you can define at least one of a minimum distance and a maximum distance between the base and the carrier. In practice, although not exclusively, the coupling will define both minimum distances and maximum. However, it is important to ensure that in principle the base assembly, carrier and connection between them keep at all times a desired structural integrity to be able to fulfill the function of carrying a load, both during transport as during handling with a lifting device such as A forklift. The minimum distance between the base and the carrier preferably corresponds to the thickness of a part of a lifting device, such as a fork of a truck elevator, which may have in this memory a tapered shape, of so that the minimum distance can be minimized further. This ensures that an opening of a device is available for the forks of a forklift, but that otherwise it is also possible according to the present invention to achieve space (temporarily) for hooking means, as alternatives to the forks, of a lifting device of displacement of load.

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In an alternative preferred embodiment, which it can also be an appendix, the carrier has a surface substantially flat top. This way it can be provided a very stable surface for the boxes and / or bags that make up the load.

In addition or alternatively, the base may further comprise a plate type element. Above all, without However, the base must provide stable contact with a ground surface when the device with a load to carry on it is left by a lifting device on a soil surface. However, the base may also include a series of supports, and an embodiment of a coupling according to The present invention can be carried out therein. The main intention is that the device, on the ground or in a stacked situation and having the minimum opening or distance between the base and carrier, can be hooked by a component or part of the lifting device. In an embodiment with an element of plate type as a base, the plate type base can comprise the less in one of the couplings a protrusion that extends towards the carrier. In this way a space can already be provided along the bumps and between the base and the carrier for the purpose of inserting for example the forks of a forklift. It is also possible that another coupling with a variable length or variable distance between the base and the carrier is then arranged in the bumps so that it is possible to provide passages between the base and the carrier that they can become large enough, as a result of coupling with the variable distance between the base and the carrier, to receive in them the forks or other hooking means  of different thicknesses.

In addition or alternatively, the coupling It can also comprise a pivotable assembly. Can be devised several options for this, in which for example axes can be used of connection or a stack of plates connected in an articulated manner comparable to mouse footprints. In an exemplary embodiment with a shaft in the assembly, the shaft is preferably provided on one side with a pin-hole type connection, whose hole is elongated, and on the other side with a hinge or a hinge connection. A variable distance between the base and the carrier can be performed in this way by sliding the pin in the elongated hole, which also imposes a limit or limitation on this distance in the device as a result of the length of the axis.

In yet another preferred embodiment the coupling can comprise an interlocking for the purpose of fix, possibly only temporarily, a position of the base and the bearer one in relation to the other once this has been taken position. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the forks a forklift or any other hitch member of a lifting device can be safely inserted into the space between the base and the carrier with the interlocking in a fixed position Then, only in a stacked or settled situation the interlocking device can be released or made actively inoperative so that the minimum can be achieved device thickness, and maximize the amount of space available for transport in for example a truck with respect a and in relation to the load to be transported.

The attached figures are shown as a non-limiting options the possible realizations of a device  according to the present invention. In these figures the parts, same or similar functional components and assemblies are designated with the same reference numbers, and in the drawing:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a stack of boxes or similar loads on devices according to the present invention in the form of pallets 1, in use together with a lifting device;

Figure 2 is a top perspective view. from the pallet of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view detailed pallet according to Fig. 2;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view lower along arrow IV of Fig. 2;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a pallet 1 with a load on it in a situation where it is raised by a lifting device;

Figure 6 is a side view of a pallet 1 substantially along arrow VI of Fig. 5;

Figure 7 is a side view of a pallet 1 substantially along arrow VII of Fig. 5;

Figure 8 and Figure 9 show respectively a perspective view and a side view of a alternative embodiment of a device according to the present invention; Y

Figure 10 and Figure 11 show respectively a perspective view and a side view of yet another alternative embodiment of a device according to the present invention

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a lifting device in the form of a forklift 2. The forklift 2 is equipped with roller forks 3 to collect and leave or stack loads for transport, which are carried by a pallet 1 as a possible embodiment of a device according to the present invention. In stacked pallets situation 1 each with a load 4 on it the thickness of the pallets 1 is minimized. On the other hand, pallets 1 still provide, even in said stacked situation, an opening sufficient to than the roller forks 3 of the forklift 2 continue to make it possible to collect a pallet 1 with a load 4 to transport on it. This will be described further. ahead.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 show a possible realization in various views of a device according to the present invention in the form of a pallet 1. Pallet 1 shown in Fig. 2 it comprises a carrier 7 and a base 8. The base 8 is shown more clearly in the detailed view of Fig. 3, and base 8 is also easily visible in the bottom view of Fig. 4. You can it is seen that the base 8 comprises a series of protuberances or elevations 9. In the rest position, that is, in the position in which a load 4 is placed on the pallet 1, the carrier 2 is support on and against these elevations 9.

The elevations 9 have a height such that the openings 5 form between the carrier 7 and the base 8, openings in which the tip of a fork 3 can be inserted, particularly a roller fork, of a wheelbarrow lift 2. Therefore, this height may be less than the thickness normal of said fork, particularly when fork 3 It has a tapered outer end.

Carrier 7 and base 8 are connected between yes so that they can be moved by connecting elements 6 that form couplings and that in the exemplary embodiment shown in this memory consist of a rod 11 with a tab 12 in each side. The connection elements 6 protrude through the openings 10 formed in carrier 7 and base 8. In base 8 the openings 10 are located in the position of the elevations 9. The tabs 12 at each end of the connecting elements 6 they engage respectively under base 8 and on carrier 7. Due to these connection elements 6, carrier 7 and base 8 they can move in relation to each other over a distance limited, the height of the stem 11.

As indicated, load 4 a transport is accommodated on the carrier 7. The pallet 1 itself can  be placed in turn on a load 4, as shown also in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 7, to stack a series of pallets 1 loaded on each other with the interposition of charges 4 to be transported

When a pallet 1 with a load 4 must be collected, as shown in Fig. 5 and in Fig. 6, the fork 3 of the forklift 2 is placed in the openings 5. The fork 3 itself may be provided with a layer of material with a low coefficient of friction when in contact with a material of a pallet 1, such as a coating of Teflon Conversely, and as a recommendation, a used fork 3 for this purpose is a fork known as fork rollers as indicated above. The fork is pressed into the openings 5 and, due to the action of tip wedge, carrier 7 will move up in relation to base 8 (Fig. 6) over a distance such that the total thickness of the fork 3 can be received between the base 8 and the carrier 7.

Then, pallet 1 with load 4 on the It can be transported by the forklift. Base 8 hangs here from the carrier 7 by means of the connection elements 6, and the carrier 7 in turn hangs on the forks 3 (see Fig. 5).

Upon reaching its destination, the fork leaves the pallet 1, so that the base 8 is placed on the ground or on a load 4 on another pallet 1. Next, fork 3 is removal between the base 8 and the carrier 7, whereby the carrier 7 falls back on elevations 9 at base 8.

During additional transport of pallets 1 with load 4, for example using a truck or the like, pallet 1 according to the invention thus occupies only a very small space limited.

The indicated roller fork 3 previously in combination with this pallet 1 according to the invention It has the great advantage that the relevant 3 forks can be easily pushed between the base 8 and the carrier 7 since the roller fork rollers 3 move on each side with a roller contact along the lower side of the carrier 7 and the upper side of the base 8.

It will be evident that the placement of protrusions or elevations 9, the width of the openings 5 and all these dimensions can be selected in a suitable way according to the desired application.

The material of the pallet according to the invention can be for example a suitable plastic, for which purpose in the selection of the specific material an optionally can be taken into account desired low coefficient of friction in relation to steel, by example of the forks 3. Other can also be provided Materials, such as fiberboard, cardboard or Similar.

Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show another embodiment alternative of a device according to the present invention in the form of pallet 13. Fig. 8 shows a perspective view and Fig. 9 shows a cross-sectional view along the arrows IX-IX of Fig. 8.

In the embodiment shown here, pallet 13 comprises a coupling between the carrier 7 and the base 8 in the form of a pin or shaft 14. The shaft 14 is connected by means of a hinge 15 to carrier 7 and an outer end 16 of shaft 14 located opposite hinge 15 is folded and protrudes inside of a slotted hole 17. In this way, it is possible that the shaft 14 folds down, whereby the position can be achieved  of carrier 7 shown with dashed lines in Fig. 9. It will be It is evident that on the sides of the pallet 13 shown in Fig. 9 are 5 minimum openings available for the forks of one forklift, but that the height of pallet 13 in this situation with a carrier 7 folded is minimal and that the pallet 13 occupies in this way the smallest possible space. However, it can be created enough space to insert the forks 3 of a truck lift 2, for which the latter may be provided in a particularly favorable way with an outer end tapered, as shown in detail for example in Fig. 6 e indicated therein with reference number 18.

Figs. 10 and 11 also show yet another embodiment of a device according to the present invention in the form of a pallet 18. This embodiment is made of cardboard sheets and cardboard parts as will be described later.

In this way, Figs. 10 and 11 show a very cheap and easily manufactured embodiment of a device according to the present invention. The carrier 7 is a cardboard plate flat, same as the base 8. Some parts of cardboard plate 19 they are stacked in the corners of pallet 18 and are connected to the carrier 7 and base 8 in the form of cardboard plates by of adhesive tape 20, which is configured in the manner shown particularly in Fig. 11.

Figure 11 shows a view that is corresponds particularly to Figure 6 of pallet 18 in a use situation, in which on the right side of Fig. 1 a fork 3 (not shown) of a forklift 2 is placed between the carrier 7 and the base 8 so that a distance is created greater between both. In this way, space is created for the fork insert 3 (not shown here), while the pallet 18 still rests on the left side on a load 4 positioned below it.

It will be obvious that the person with knowledge in the matter will devise many additional and alternative embodiments  after examining the previous description of the various possible configurations, within the scope of this invention. All these additional and alternative embodiments should also be considered as within the scope of this invention, unless these additional embodiments and alternatives depart from the definition according to the claims attached.

It is thus possible that the base and the carrier be design in a manner suitable for the empty pallets 1 of the these types are nestable, so that they also occupy very little space when transported empty. Another possibility is to do the carrier and the base of the pallet sliding with respect to each other over a limited distance, thereby in a position sliding the base and the carrier rest flat one on the other and in the other sliding position the spaces are defined intermediates required for the insertion of the forks of a forklift.

The connection elements 6 can be realized in any desired way and serve only to keep the carrier and base. This is also shown from a comparison of the embodiments of Figures 3 and 9, and Figure 11. The connecting elements, or more generally the couplings, they can also be carried out for example by means of protuberances on a plate that are housed inside holes in the other license plate.

Claims (11)

1. Device to carry a load, at least during its transportation, which includes:

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a base (8) that functions as a support in a device situation when placed on a floor surface;

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a carrier (7) for loading on the base at least during use; Y

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a connection (6, 14, 19) between the base and the carrier,

characterized in that the base and the carrier can move away and approach each other freely in a reciprocal manner, and a minimum insertion opening (5) is defined between them in any position of the base and the holder, whose insertion opening is dimensioned to receive therein an outer insertion element such as forklift forks.

2. Device according to claim 1, in the that the connection comprises at least one coupling that defines the minus one of a minimum distance and a maximum distance between the base and the carrier. 3. Device according to claim 2, in the that the minimum distance corresponds to the thickness of a part of a lifting device, such as a fork of a truck lift 4. Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the carrier comprises an upper surface substantially flat. 5. Device according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the base comprises an element  plate type. 6. Device according to claim 5, in the that the plate type element comprises at least one of the couplings a bump (9) that extends towards the carrier. 7. Device according to at least one of the claims 2-6, wherein the coupling It comprises a pivotable assembly. 8. Device according to claim 7, in the that the assembly comprises a stack of sheets (19) connected of articulated way. 9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, in which the assembly comprises an axis (14) which has on one side a connection (17) of pin-hole type, whose hole is elongated, and on the other side a hinge connection or pivot (15). 10. Device according to at least one of the claims 2-9, wherein the coupling comprises an interlock for the purpose of setting a position of the base and the carrier in relation to each other once it has taken this position. 11. Device according to at least one of the claims 2-10, wherein the coupling is adapted to freely vary the distance between the base and the Porter.