Jack and jack column equipped with it

Abstract

A latch (1) for a latch column, wherein the latch (1) has a support extension (8) having a bearing surface (7) for components (5) to be stacked, and at least one spacer (10) in the area of ​​the support extension (8), which extends at least partially perpendicular to the bearing surface (7) and, in the installed state of the latch (1), serves as a support for an adjacent latch (1) in the latch column, wherein the support extension (8) has at least one recess (15) in the form of a depression or opening into which the spacer (10) of another latch (1) can be at least partially recessed in the installed state, characterized in that the spacer (10) is pressed, screwed, or glued into an opening (11) of the support extension (8).wherein the spacer (10) penetrates the support extension (8) and has a contact surface (12) on both sides of the support extension (8) for a spacer (10) of a further latch (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a latch for a latch column, wherein the latch has a support extension with a bearing surface for stacking components and at least one spacer in the region of the support extension, which extends at least partially perpendicular to the bearing surface and, when the latch is installed in the latch column, serves as a support for an adjacent latch. Furthermore, a latch column is proposed with a frame element, in particular U-shaped, and a plurality of latches rotatably connected to the frame element and arranged essentially one above the other, which can be moved from a rest position via a receiving position to a final position, wherein the latches are in contact with each other at least in the final position via spacers.

[0002] Latch columns are known in a wide variety of designs and primarily serve for the temporary storage of flat components, such as car body parts. For this purpose, the latch columns have a frame in which the latches are usually pivotally mounted around a pivot axis. This allows the latches to be moved from a rest position, in which the support projections of the latches are folded upwards in the (usually vertical) latch column(s), to a receiving position. In this position, which initially only the lowest latch assumes, while the other latches remain in their rest position, the component to be stored can now be placed onto the support surface of the support projection, pressing it into a final position in which the support projection usually extends perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the latch column.Through a corresponding mechanical interaction between this latch and the latch above it, the latter is moved from its rest position to the receiving position, allowing another component to be deposited. In this way, the storage device, which usually consists of several latch columns, can be gradually filled with components.

[0003] Accordingly, DE 36 45 029 C2 describes a device for holding and transporting molded parts, in particular body panels in the automotive industry, with latches arranged one above the other on a support column, each of which is penetrated by an approximately horizontal pivot axis and whose bracket arms can be pivoted around the pivot axis from a rest position to a carrying position. However, due to the arrangement of corresponding extensions by which the individual latches are supported against each other, the respective contact surfaces must have a minimum distance, so that storage space is wasted when stacking thin components.

[0004] Another latch column is shown in EP 1 648 801 B1, where corresponding spacers are bent from the support extension. However, due to the bending process, the length of the spacers is subject to a certain tolerance, which can have a detrimental effect on the manufacturing process.

[0005] From DE 196 41 270 A1 a device for stacking and transporting molded parts is known, in which support arms with profiles and latch levers are designed in such a way that they interlock in the rest position, thereby achieving a compact arrangement within the U-shaped stacking columns.

[0006] DE 20 2004 017 618 U1 shows a stacking column with pivotally mounted latches, each having a support section and a drive section, and which can be moved from a working position to a rest position by means of a coupling element.

[0007] From DE 20 2004 019 245 U1 a device with at least one stacking column is known, which has pivotable latch levers with support sections, wherein each latch lever is assigned a clamping mechanism that stabilizes it in working and rest positions.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the invention to propose a latch and a latch column equipped therewith, wherein the distance between the latches in the rest position should be as small as possible and yet be kept at a defined level in the end position by means of appropriate spacers.

[0009] This problem is solved with regard to the latch by the fact that the support projection has at least one recess in the form of a depression or opening into which the spacer of another latch can be at least partially recessed when installed. In principle, the spacers of a latch rest directly or indirectly against the support projection of an adjacent latch in the end position, so that the distance between adjacent latches in this position depends, in principle, on the length of the spacers, and one latch rests on the latch below it. If the components are now removed from the latch column, the respective latches must be able to pivot into their rest position. However, since the support projections of the latches within a latch column have a smaller distance in this rest position than in the receiving or...In the end position, the spacer would hinder pivoting into the rest position. However, the recess according to the invention now makes it possible for the spacer of one latch to be at least partially recessed into the recess of the adjacent latch. This allows the respective latches to have a distance in this position that is less than the length of their respective spacers.

[0010] It is particularly advantageous if the spacer is arranged between the recess and the bearing surface in a top view of the latch. This arrangement of the recess is preferable when the spacer of a latch, in its installed state, extends essentially upwards.

[0011] Alternatively, the spacer can extend essentially in the opposite direction, so that when the latch is installed, it projects downwards, thus also allowing one latch to rest on the latch below it. In this case, it is advantageous if the recess is located between the spacer and the bearing surface when viewed from above.

[0012] It is also advantageous if the spacer has at least a partially cylindrical shape. This allows for simple and cost-effective manufacturing of the spacer while still ensuring the necessary stability. Of course, the spacer can also have other shapes, such as a rectangular or oval cross-section. The cross-section can also vary along the length of the spacer, and rounded or flattened sections are also possible.

[0013] Similarly, having a slotted recess offers advantages. This design is particularly beneficial with a cylindrical spacer. It allows the spacer to be inserted into the recess without tilting, since the projection surface of the spacer onto the adjacent latch initially has an oval shape during pivoting into the rest position, due to the changing angle between two adjacent latches during pivoting.

[0014] According to the invention, the spacer is pressed, screwed, or glued into an opening of the support extension. Pressing has proven particularly advantageous for manufacturing reasons, and the spacer or the opening can be slightly conical for a particularly secure hold. The diameter of the section of the spacer extending into the opening can also be slightly larger than the opening itself to further improve the frictional connection. Alternatively, the spacer can, of course, be glued, welded, or otherwise attached to the surface of the support extension without requiring any prior machining, in particular drilling, of the surface of the support extension.

[0015] It is also advantageous if the spacer has at least a partially roughened surface, such as knurled edges. Particularly when it is pressed or glued into the aforementioned opening, the roughening ensures a stable, force-fit connection between the support projection and the spacer. In addition to knurling, other surface textures, such as other ribbing or similar roughening, are of course also suitable.

[0016] Furthermore, the invention provides that the spacer penetrates the support extension and has a contact surface on both sides of the support extension for the corresponding contact surface of a spacer of another latch. As a result, the latch is not supported on the spacer of an adjacent latch via its support extension. Rather, in the latches' end position, the spacers form a continuous "column" in which the respective spacers are arranged one above the other and touch each other. Consequently, the distance between the latches in the end position is defined solely by the length of the spacers, which can be manufactured with very high precision. Tolerances in the thickness of the support extensions, on the other hand, have no influence on the distance between adjacent latches—unlike an arrangement in which the spacer of one latch rests against the support extension of an adjacent latch.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spacer has a stop with which it abuts the support extension, the stop being formed, for example, by a bulge in the spacer. This also simplifies assembly, since the spacer can simply be pressed in or otherwise inserted and fastened until the stop abuts, thereby automatically achieving its correct position relative to the opening. If the spacer also penetrates the support extension as described above, a further advantage arises, particularly when the stop is located below the support extension in the assembled state of the latch column.If the spacers rest directly on top of each other, the force exerted on the contact surfaces by the mounted components in the latch column can be transferred directly to the spacers via the stop, without requiring a particularly high degree of friction between the spacer and the latch's bearing projection. Rather, the stop prevents the latch from unintentionally pivoting beyond its end position, as the movement is limited by the spacer's stop.

[0018] The latch column according to the invention is characterized in that at least two adjacent latches are designed according to the preceding embodiments, and the spacer of one of these latches can be at least partially recessed into the recess of the adjacent latch in the rest position. In this way, a latch column with a plurality of latches is obtained, the support projections of which, onto which the components to be stacked are ultimately placed, have a defined distance in the end position due to the spacers. Furthermore, by recessing the spacer into the recess in the rest position, it is ensured that the spacers do not impede the pivoting of the latches into this position, in which the distance between adjacent latches is reduced due to the design.

[0019] It is particularly advantageous if the spacers of at least two adjacent latches penetrate the support projections of these latches and are in contact with each other when the latches are in their final position. In this way, the weight of placed components is transferred exclusively via the spacers to the floor or a base plate of the latch column. Furthermore, the distance is also defined by the length of the spacers, which can be manufactured very precisely and robustly.

[0020] It is also highly advantageous if the spacers of at least two adjacent latches penetrate the bearing surfaces of these latches, and if the spacer of one latch is in contact with the bearing surface of the adjacent latch in its rest position. This ensures that the latches are in contact with each other even in their rest position, thus preventing vibrations and uneven positioning of the latches. Furthermore, an additional stop that would limit the upward pivoting of the latches is unnecessary.

[0021] It is also advantageous to have spring elements associated with the latches, which help to hold them in their rest position. To move the latches into a receiving position, they advantageously have a support element that extends primarily in the opposite direction to the bearing projection. When a latch is pressed into its end position by placing a component on it, the support element comes into contact with the latch above it and ultimately causes this latch to pivot into the receiving position, where another component can be placed. Finally, the spring elements ensure that the latches automatically pivot back into their rest position after the components are removed.

[0022] Last but not least, it is advantageous if the latch column has a base plate with a support post on which the lowest latch, particularly via its spacer, can be supported, so that the weight of the latches and the components placed on them can be transferred into the base plate. The result is a stable latch column which, due to the design of the latches according to the invention, has small dimensions.

[0023] Further advantages of the invention are described in connection with the following exemplary embodiments. These show: Fig. 1 a latch column according to the invention, Fig. 2 an enlarged section of the lower area of ​​a latch column according to the invention, Fig. 3 latches according to the invention as shown in the section in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a side view of latches according to the invention, Fig. 5 a side view of latches according to the invention in rest position, Fig. 6 a perspective sectional view of two latches according to the invention, Fig. 7 another perspective view of two latches according to the invention, and Fig. 8 a perspective view of a single latch according to the invention.

[0024] It should be mentioned beforehand that in figures showing several similar latches 1, sometimes only one of several similar elements is provided with a reference symbol in order to ensure a good overview.

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 shows a latch column according to the invention, the lower section of which is in Fig. Figure 2 is shown enlarged. The door handle column has a base plate 2 to which a U-shaped frame element 3 is connected, and to which a multitude of door handles 1 are connected. The connection between the door handles 1 and the frame element 3 is best illustrated from Fig. 3 can be seen via correspondingly mounted pivot axes 4, about which the latches 1 can be pivoted.

[0026] The functioning of the latch column, which is used for the storage of flat components 5 (see Fig. 4) serves this purpose, and is usually set up together with one or more other handle columns, as follows. Initially, all but the lowest handle 1 are in a rest position, corresponding to the position of the upper forty handles 1 in Fig. 1, wherein the latches 1 are held in this position by spring elements 6 (see Fig. 3) are held. As can be seen, the latches 1 are pivoted upwards and therefore do not protrude beyond the cross-section of the frame element 3. The lowest latch 1 is at this moment in a receiving position, such as that of the fifth latch 1 from the bottom in Fig. 1 occupies.

[0027] If the component 5 to be stacked is now placed on the support surface 7 of the support extension 8, this latch 1 is moved by the weight of the component 5 into a final position corresponding to the position of the lower four latches 1 in Fig. 1. swiveled.

[0028] The latches 1 also have corresponding support elements 9 (see e.g. Fig. 4), which extend in the opposite direction to the pivot axis 4 of the pawls 1 and the support extension 8. If a pawl 1 is now moved from the receiving position to the end position by placing a component 5 on it, the support element 9 of this pawl 1 comes into contact with the support element 9 of the pawl 1 above it, which is in its rest position, and finally causes this pawl 1 to pivot from its rest position to the receiving position. In this way, the pawl column can be gradually filled with components 5, whereby the pawl 1 located above the last component 5 always remains in the receiving position until another component 5 is placed on it.

[0029] With regard to the advantages of the inventive design of the latches 1, particular reference is made to the following: Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. 8 referred to. As can be seen from the respective illustrations, each latch 1 (possibly with the exception of the lowest and / or highest latch 1) has an essentially rotatable spacer 10 which fits into an opening 11 (see Fig. 6) of the support extension 8 of the respective latches 1 is pressed in.

[0030] For example, from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, these spacers 10 serve to define a specific distance between the support projections 8 in the end position of the latches 1. For this purpose, the spacers 10 have an upper and a lower contact surface 12 which touch each other accordingly, so that the upper latch 1 is supported on the spacer 10 of the latch 1 below it via its spacer 10.

[0031] To prevent the support extension 8 from moving relative to the spacer 10 due to the weight of the component 5 placed upon it, the spacer 10 has a stop 13 below it. This stop is created by increasing the diameter of the spacer 10 below the support extension 8. In this way, the weight of the component 5 is transferred downwards and ultimately by a support pin 14 (see figure). Fig. 1) forwarded to base plate 2.

[0032] If the uppermost component 5 is now removed from the latch column, the spring elements 6 cause the corresponding latch 1 arranged below this component 5 to pivot from the end position to the receiving position. Simultaneously, the latch 1 arranged above it is pivoted from the receiving position to the rest position. In this rest position, the upper section of the corresponding spacer 10 can finally be recessed into the recess 15 according to the invention of the latch 1 arranged above, which in the example shown is designed as an opening in the form of an elongated hole (see in particular). Fig. 6) This finally allows the distance between the support projections 8 in the rest position to be smaller than in the end position, with the lower contact surfaces 12 of the spacers 10 now resting against the support surfaces 7 of the respective latches 1 arranged below them.

[0033] Since the longer sections of the spacers 10 extend upwards in the example shown, the spacers 10 are arranged in a top view between the recess 15 and the bearing surface 7. If, however, the spacers 10 were to extend primarily downwards, it would be advantageous to arrange the recesses 15 in a top view of the latch 1 between the spacer 10 and the bearing surface 7, in order to allow at least part of the spacer 10 to be countersunk into the corresponding recess 15 of the adjacent latch 1.

[0034] As a result, a particularly advantageously designed latch 1 and a latch column equipped with a large number of such latches 1 are proposed, which are characterized by high stability, a particularly uniform distribution of the latches 1 and a simple construction.

[0035] Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Rather, all combinations of the described individual features, as shown or described in the claims, the description, and the figures, and insofar as a corresponding combination appears technically possible or useful, are the subject of the invention. Reference symbol list 1 jack 2 Base plate 3 frame element 4 axis of rotation 5 components 6 spring element 7 Support surface 8th edition 9 Support element 10 spacers 11 Opening 12 Contact area 13 attacks 14 printing stamps 15 recess

Claims

A latch (1) for a latch column, wherein the latch (1) has a support extension (8) having a bearing surface (7) for components (5) to be stacked, and at least one spacer (10) in the area of ​​the support extension (8), which extends at least partially perpendicular to the bearing surface (7) and, in the installed state of the latch (1), serves as a support for an adjacent latch (1) in the latch column, wherein the support extension (8) has at least one recess (15) in the form of a depression or opening into which the spacer (10) of another latch (1) can be at least partially recessed in the installed state, characterized in that the spacer (10) is pressed, screwed, or glued into an opening (11) of the support extension (8), wherein the spacer (10) penetrates the support extension (8) and has a contact surface (12) on both sides of the support extension (8). for each spacer (10) of a further latch (1). Latch (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the spacer (10) is arranged in a top view of the latch (1) between the recess (15) and the bearing surface (7). Latch (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the recess (15) is arranged in a top view of the latch (1) between the spacer (10) and the bearing surface (7). Latch (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer (10) has at least a partially cylindrical shape. Latch (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (15) is designed as an elongated hole. Latch (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer (10) has at least partially a roughened surface. Latch (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer (10) has a stop (13) with which it rests against the support extension (8). A latch column with a frame element (3), in particular a U-shaped one, and a plurality of latches (1) rotatably connected to the frame element (3) and arranged substantially one above the other, which can be moved from a rest position via a receiving position to a final position, wherein the latches (1) are in contact with each other at least in the final position via spacers (10), characterized in that at least two adjacent latches (1) are designed according to the preceding claims and the spacer (10) of one of these latches (1) can be recessed at least partially into the recess (15) of the adjacent latch (1) in the rest position. Latch column according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the spacers (10) of at least two adjacent latches (1) penetrate the support projections (8) of these latches (1) and are in contact with each other in the end position of these latches (1). Door handle column according to one or more of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the spacers (10) of at least two adjacent door handles (1) penetrate the support extensions (8) of these door handles (1) and the spacer (10) of a door handle (1) is in contact with the support extension (8) of the adjacent door handle (1) in the rest position. Latch column according to one or more of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that spring elements (6) are assigned to the latches (1) with the help of which the latches (1) can be held in the rest position. Door handle column according to one or more of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the door handle column has a base plate (2) with a support stamp (14) on which the lowest door handle (1), in particular via its spacer (10), can be supported.

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