Detachable hooking system for detachably hooking product support element to closed loop conveyor

Abstract

A detachable hooking system (100) of a product support element (E) to a closed loop conveyor (A), comprising: a base part (1) having a cavity (130) underneath for receiving a portion (P) of the closed loop conveyor (A) to be fixed to the conveyor (A); a product support element (E) to be hooked to the base part (1), the base part (1) being configured underneath to comprise a first recess (E1) and a second recess (E2); and a single hooking part (2) which can be positioned in a base (13) constructed by the upper surface of the base part (1). The edge (140) of the wall (14) of the base (13) is configured to form a first coupling profile (A1) complementary to the first recess (E1), and the edge (210) of the first portion (21) of the unitary hooking member (2) is configured to form a second coupling profile (A2) complementary to the second recess (E2). The unitary hooking part (2) comprises a second portion (22) that is elastically deformable and has a shape memory, which can be compressed in order to bring the second coupling profile (A2) close to the first coupling profile (A1) and to be able to hook the support element (E) on the base part (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the particular technical field relating to product transport equipment using closed loop conveyors such as toothed belts. Background Art

[0002] In these transport devices, in order to support the products to be transported and transferred at the various operating positions or stations, use is made of sized support elements called “drawers” ​​that are fixed and coupled to the closed-loop conveyor.

[0003] For example, the supporting element may comprise a supporting surface for the product and side walls for receiving the product: the supporting element may also comprise a coupling element to which the product to be transported is coupled.

[0004] Typically, the support elements must be able to be fixed and hooked to the conveyor in a removable manner, so that the support elements can be replaced when the size or type of product to be transported changes.

[0005] In particular, the present invention relates to a detachable hooking system for hooking a detachable product supporting element to a closed loop conveyor, such as a toothed belt or belt.

[0006] Figure 1A A closed-loop conveyor (T), such as a toothed belt, is shown for transporting products using drawer-type support elements (S).

[0007] Also in Figure 1A In the left part of the figure, a prior art hooking system (90) for detachably hooking a support element (S) to a part of a closed-loop conveyor (T) is shown.

[0008] Figure 1B Shows Figure 1A Cross-sectional view of a prior art hooking system (90) at the point where it is hooked to a supporting element (S) of the hooking system.

[0009] Figure 2 Shown in exploded view instead Figure 1A and Figure 1B Components of the prior art hooking system (90).

[0010] The hooking system (90) includes a base part (91), which is U-shaped and therefore includes a main body (92) and two side arms (93, 94), the two side arms (93, 94) extending below and on both sides of the main body (92) and arranged and configured to define a cavity (95) between the base part (91) and the lower part of the main body (92), the cavity (95) enabling the base part (91) to be positioned at a part (T1) of the conveying device (T) and to be relatively fixed.

[0011] For example, when the transmission device (T) is composed of Figure 1A When the toothed belt is constructed as shown, the base part (91) is positioned so that the cavity (95) receives the upper part (T1) of the toothed belt inside so that the base part (91) can be fixed to the toothed belt by means of fastening means (such as screws or bolts).

[0012] In addition, at the inner wall portions of the two side arms (93, 94) of the base part (91), there is a groove (9), which has a suitable shape for coupling with a sliding guide (G) associated with the conveying device (T) so as to guide the base part (91) and thereby guide the support element (S) and maintain the support element (S) stable during the start-up of the conveying device (T).

[0013] The hooking system (90) further comprises an auxiliary component (80), which can be fixed on the base component (91) by means of screws, for example.

[0014] The auxiliary component (80) is configured to have a seat (81) for positioning the hook component (70).

[0015] The base (81) is configured to be defined by three side walls (82, 83, 84) for receiving and has an open side (85).

[0016] Once the hooking member (70) is inserted into the seat (81) of the auxiliary component through the open side (85) of the seat (81), the hooking member (70) can be coupled to the auxiliary component (80) with the interposition of the spring (71).

[0017] Specifically, the auxiliary component (80) includes a corresponding first hole (F) opposite to the open side (85) of the base (81) at a first lateral side wall (82) defining the base (81), and the first end of the spring (71) is inserted into the first hole (F), while the second end of the spring (71) contacts the wall (72) of the hooking component (70).

[0018] In this way, the spring (71) maintains the hooking member (70) in a first spaced rest position (A) relative to the first lateral side wall (82) of the base (81) of the auxiliary member (80) where the hooking member (70) is located (e.g. Figure 1A ).

[0019] The auxiliary component (80) is also configured to include a side edge (86) parallel to the first lateral side wall (82) of the base (81), and the side edge (86) is formed in an inclined manner to form a first inclined coupling profile (P1), and the first inclined coupling profile (P1) is generally flared and complementary to a first recess (S1) located below the support element (S), and the support element (S) will be hooked to the base component (91) for coupling to the conveying device (T).

[0020] Furthermore, the hooking part (70) is configured to include a corresponding side edge (73) parallel to the wall (72) on which the spring (71) acts, and the side edge (73) is shaped to form a second inclined coupling profile (P2), which is generally flared, complementary to a second recess (S2) located below the support element (S) and parallel to the first recess (S1).

[0021] The spring (71) is configured to maintain the hooking part (70) in a first spaced static position (A) so that the distance between the second coupling profile (P2) located in the hooking part (70) and the first coupling profile (P1) located in the auxiliary part (80) is greater than the distance between the first recess (S1) and the second recess (S2) located below the support element (S).

[0022] In this way, once the base part (91) has been coupled and fixed to a portion (T1) of the conveying device (T), in order to hook the support element (S) to the base part (91) and therefore to hook the support element (S) to the conveying device (T), it is necessary to overcome the action of the spring (71) and push and translate the hooking part (70) towards the first lateral side wall (82) of the base (81) of the auxiliary part (80) until it is placed in a certain position so that the distance between the second coupling profile (P2) of the hooking part (70) and the first coupling profile (P1) of the auxiliary part (80) is smaller than the distance between the first recess (S1) and the second recess (S2) located in the support element (S).

[0023] Therefore, the supporting element (S) can be positioned above and on both sides of the hooking part (70) and the auxiliary part (80) so that the initial part of the first recess (S1) is coupled with the corresponding initial part of the first coupling profile (P1) of the auxiliary part (80), and then the hooking part (70) is continuously released so that the return action of the spring (71) pushes the hooking part (70) toward the first spaced static position (A) until the initial part of the second inclined coupling profile (P2) of the hooking part (70) is coupled with the initial part of the second recess (S2) located in the supporting element (S).

[0024] Thereafter, the support element can be translated so as to be centered relative to the base member (see Figure 1Bor Figure 1A on the right side of the screen).

[0025] In order to disassemble the support element (S), it is sufficient to translate it transversely to the base part (91) (i.e., translate it in a direction transverse to the spring (71)) so that the two coupling profiles (P1, P2) slide relative to the two recesses (S1, S2) until the support element (S) is disengaged from the hook part (70) and the auxiliary part (80); the hook part (70) will return to the first spaced static position (A) through the action of the spring (71).

[0026] Furthermore, in order to maintain the alignment of the hooking part (70) relative to the auxiliary part (80) during its movement for hooking the support element (S), there is a cylindrical guide pin (75). The first end of the guide pin (75) is inserted into a hole (F1) located in the wall (72) of the hooking part (70) on which the spring (71) acts, and the second end thereof is inserted into a second hole (F2) located in the first lateral side wall (82) of the base (81) of the auxiliary part (80).

[0027] This type of hooking system (90) requires the use of various components that must interact with each other, such as an auxiliary component (80), a hooking component (70), a spring (71), a pin (75), so as to achieve a removable hooking of the support element (S) to the base component (91) once the base component has been fixed to the conveyor (T).

[0028] Additionally, the spring may fail or become damaged. Summary of the invention

[0029] The object of the present invention is therefore to describe a new detachable hooking system for detachably hooking a product-supporting element to a closed-loop conveyor, capable of eliminating the drawbacks present in the prior art.

[0030] In particular, the object of the invention is to describe a novel detachable hooking system comprising fewer minimum components than hooking systems of known type, capable of effectively ensuring in any case a detachable hooking system for detachably hooking a product-supporting element to a closed-loop conveyor.

[0031] The above advantages are achieved according to the content of the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The characteristics of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the hooking system of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] - mentioned above Figure 1AA closed-loop conveyor as a toothed belt is shown in a partial schematic perspective view, on which the product-supporting elements are mounted by means of the hook-on system of the prior art described above;

[0034] -As mentioned earlier Figure 1B It is installed on the prior art hook system described above. Figure 1A A vertical cross-sectional view of a support element on a closed-loop conveyor;

[0035] - Figure 2 The components of the prior art hooking system described above are shown in exploded schematic perspective view;

[0036] - Figure 3 A partial schematic perspective view shows a closed-loop conveyor as a toothed belt, on which the product-supporting elements are mounted by means of the detachable hooking system according to the invention;

[0037] - Figure 4 is installed on the Figure 3 A vertical cross-sectional view at a support element on a conveying device of , wherein the hooking system is in a first hooking configuration for hooking of the support element;

[0038] - Figure 5 is installed on the Figure 3 A vertical cross-sectional view at a support element on a conveying device of , wherein the hooking system is in a second unhooking configuration for unhooking the support element;

[0039] - Figure 6 The components of the hooking system of the present invention are shown in exploded schematic perspective views;

[0040] - Figure 7 The important components of the hook system of the invention coupled to one another are shown in a schematic perspective view;

[0041] - Figure 8 A support element hooked to the hooking system of the invention is shown in a schematic perspective view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Refer to the attached drawings for specific reference Figures 3 to 8 , reference numeral (100) denotes as a whole the removable hooking system of the product support element (E) to the closed-loop conveyor (A), object of the present invention.

[0043] The hooking system (100) of the present invention comprises only three elements, namely: a base part (1) for fixing to a portion (P) of a closed-loop conveyor (A); a product support element (E) to be hooked to the base part (1); and a single hooking part (2) which can be coupled to the base part (1) and is capable of detachably hooking the support element (E) to the base part (1) (the three elements of the hooking system of the present invention are shown in FIG. Figure 6 can be seen separately from each other).

[0044] The base member (1) is constructed in a U shape including a main body (10) and two side arms (11, 12), and the two side arms (11, 12) extend on both sides and below relative to the main body (10).

[0045] The body (10) is constructed with a cavity (130) below and between the two side arms (11, 12), the cavity (130) being sized to accommodate and receive a portion (P) of a closed-loop conveyor (A) (such as a toothed belt) therein and (for example, using screws or bolts that can be inserted into holes on the portion (P) of the conveyor (A) (see, for example, Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 )) enables the base part (1) to be positioned and fixed on this part (P) of the closed-loop conveyor (A).

[0046] The product support element (E) is hooked to the base part (1) to position it on the closed-loop conveyor (A), and the product support element (E) is configured to include a support positioning position (ES) for the product at the top, and to include a first recess (E1) and a second recess (E2) opposite and parallel to each other at the bottom.

[0047] The body (10) of the base part (1) is realized as comprising a base (13) bounded on the upper side by a transverse wall (14) and two longitudinal walls (15, 16) and having an open side (17) opposite the transverse wall (14), wherein the transverse wall (14) is configured to include a respective edge (140) with an inclined outer portion (141) to form a first coupling profile (A1) having a flared shape complementary to a first recess (E1) located below the product support element (E) (see Figure 6 ).

[0048] The single hooking member (2) is constructed to include a first rigid portion (21) and a second portion (22) integral with the first portion (21), the second portion (22) being made of an elastically deformable material having shape memory and having a curved sheet shape including at least an elastically deformable central portion (23) and a distal contact portion (24) (see also Figure 6 ).

[0049] In more detail, the first portion (21) of the single hooking member (2) comprises a respective edge (210) configured with a respective inclined outer portion (211) to form a second coupling profile (A2) having a flared shape complementary to a second recess (E2) situated underneath the product support element (E).

[0050] Furthermore, the single hooking member (2) is sized and shaped to be inserted and positioned in the base (13) of the base member (1) through the open side (17) of the base (13), so that the elastically deformable central portion (23) of the second portion (22) is located at the base (13), the distal contact portion (24) of the second portion (22) contacts and abuts against the transverse wall (14) of the base (13), and the first portion (21) is located at the open side (17) of the base (13) (see, e.g. Figure 7 ).

[0051] Furthermore, the dimensions of the elastically deformable central portion (23) of the second portion (22) of the single hooking member (2) are designed so that when the single hooking member (2) is positioned in the base (13) of the base member (1) with the distal contact portion (24) of the second portion (22) in contact and abutting against the transverse wall (14) of the base (13), the second coupling profile (A2) defined by the inclined outer portion (211) of the edge (210) of the first portion (21) of the single hooking member (2) and the first coupling profile (A1) defined by the inclined outer portion (141) of the edge (140) of the transverse wall (14) of the base (13) of the base member (1) are at a first distance from the first coupling profile (A1) defined by the inclined outer portion (141) of the edge (140) of the transverse wall (14) of the base (13) of the base member (1), which first distance is greater than the distance between the first recess (E1) and the second recess (E2) located below the product support element (E).

[0052] Due to the special construction of the single hooking component (2) described above, the hooking system (100) of the present invention can achieve the hooking and unhooking of the support element (E) and the base component (1) in a simple and effective manner, using only this single component, in the following manner.

[0053] In fact, the hooking system (100) is configured to apply a first pushing action (S1) on the first portion (21) of the single hooking member (2) towards the transverse wall (14) of the base (13) of the base member (1) (see Figure 7), so that the elastically deformable central portion (23) of the second portion (22) of the single hooking member (2) is elastically compressed so that the second coupling profile (A2) can approach the first coupling profile (A1) and be positioned at a second distance from the first coupling profile (A1), which second distance is smaller than the distance between the first recess (E1) and the second recess (E2) located in the product support element (E).

[0054] Thus, in this way, the product support element (E) can be positioned above and on both sides of the base part (1) and the single hooking part (2) by coupling an initial portion of the first recess (E1) with a corresponding initial portion of the first coupling profile (A1) of the base part (1), and then by a first pushing action (S1) terminating on the first portion (21) of the single hooking part (2), so that the elastically deformable central portion (23) of the second portion (22) of the single hooking part (2) can elastically return to its initial shape to push the second coupling profile (A2) of the first portion (21) to couple with the second recess (E2) located in the product support element (E) (see, for example Figure 4 ), thereby achieving the hooking of the product support element (E) to the base part (1) and thus to the closed-loop conveyor (A).

[0055] The mode for carrying out the unhooking of the supporting element (E) on the base part (1) is also very simple and easy to carry out.

[0056] In fact, by exerting a second pushing action (S2) on the product-supporting element (E) to push the first portion (21) of the single hooking member (2) having the second coupling profile (A2) towards the transverse wall (14) of the seat (13) of the base member (1) (see e.g. Figure 5 ), so that the elastically deformable central portion (23) of the second portion (22) of the single hooking member (2) is elastically compressed, thereby enabling the product support element (E) to translate relative to the base member (1) and thereby disengaging the first recess (E1) from the first coupling profile (A1) for unhooking the product support element (E) from the base member (1) and thereby unhooking from the closed-loop conveyor (A).

[0057] Clearly therefore, the hooking system of the invention enables hooking and unhooking of a product-supporting element to a closed-loop conveying device, such as a toothed belt, in a simple and straightforward manner, using fewer elements than in known hooking systems.

[0058] Thus, in essence, as with the base part and the support element, which are also generally present in the prior art hooking systems, in the hooking system of the invention, only one further component is used, namely a single hooking component. Due to its special configuration and its ability to deform elastically and its shape memory, this single hooking component can be arranged in the seat of the base part and enables the support element to be hooked (and unhooked) with the base part.

[0059] Other advantageous aspects of the hooking system proposed by the present invention will be described below.

[0060] In a second preferred aspect, the elastically deformable central portion (23) of the second portion (22) of the single hooking member (2) is constructed to include two layered halves (23A, 23B) both of which are S-shaped, and the two layered halves (23A, 23B) are connected to each other via a distal contact portion (24) of the second portion (22) of the single hooking member (2).

[0061] In particular, the elastically deformable central portion (23) of the second portion (22) of the single hooking element (2) is made of an elastically deformable plastic material having shape memory, for example, of a polymeric material such as various grades of polyamide, for example nylon, or of an acetal resin, for example Delrin / co-polyoxymethylene, which may be loaded.

[0062] In another preferred aspect, the single hooking member (2) is made to include a pair of adjacent walls (25, 26) integral with the first portion (21) of the single hooking member (2) on both sides of the elastically deformable central portion (23), and the longitudinal walls (15, 16) of the base (13) of the base member (1) each include a protrusion (18, 19), the protrusions (18, 19) defining corresponding guide channels (180, 190) between them and the base of the base (30), the guide channels (180, 190) being used to guide the adjacent walls (25, 26) of the single hooking member (2) when the single hooking member (2) is inserted and positioned in the base (13).

[0063] Furthermore, the pair of abutment walls (25, 26) of the single hooking member (2) comprises hook-shaped elements (27, 28) at respective ends, and the projections (18, 19) of the longitudinal walls (15, 16) of the base (13) of the base member (1) are configured to form an abutment so as to couple with the hook-shaped elements (27, 28) of the abutment walls (25, 26) so as to maintain the single hooking member (2) in the base (13) once the single hooking member (2) is inserted and positioned in the base (13) of the base member (1).

[0064] The inner walls of the two side arms (11, 12) of the base part (1) are configured to include corresponding grooves (110, 120), which have a suitable shape for coupling with a sliding guide (A0) located in the closed-loop conveyor (A) to guide the base part (1) and maintain the stability of the base part (1) during the start-up of the closed-loop conveyor (A) and thereby guide the product support element (E) and maintain the stability of the product support element (E).

Claims

1. A detachable hooking system (100) for attaching a product support element (E) to a closed-loop conveyor (A), comprising: A base component (1) is configured in a U shape including a main body (10) and two side arms (11, 12), wherein the two side arms (11, 12) extend on both sides and below the main body (10), and the main body (10) is configured to have a cavity (130) below and between the two side arms (11, 12), wherein the size of the cavity (130) is designed to accommodate and receive a portion (P) of a closed-loop conveyor (A) therein, and to enable the base component (1) to be positioned and fixed on the portion (P) of the closed-loop conveyor (A); a product support element (E) to be hooked to the base part (1) to position it on the closed-loop conveyor (A), the product support element (E) being configured to include a support and positioning position (ES) for the product on the upper side and to include a first recess (E1) and a second recess (E2) opposite and parallel to each other on the lower side; Characterized in that the body (10) of the base part (1) is realized to include a base (13) bounded on the upper side by a transverse wall (14) and two longitudinal walls (15, 16) and having an open side (17) opposite the transverse wall (14), and wherein the transverse wall (14) is configured to include a respective edge (140) with an inclined outer portion (141) to form a first coupling profile (A1) having a flared shape complementary to a first recess (E1) situated below the product support element (E); And characterized in that the detachable hooking system (100) comprises a single hooking component (2), the single hooking component (2) is constructed to include a first rigid part (21) and a second part (22) integral with the first part (21), the second part (22) is made of an elastically deformable material with shape memory and has a curved sheet shape including at least an elastically deformable central part (23) and a distal contact part (24), wherein the first portion (21) of the single hooking member (2) comprises a corresponding edge (210) configured with a corresponding inclined outer portion (211) to form a second coupling profile (A2), the second coupling profile (A2) having a flared shape complementary to a second recess (E2) located below the product support element (E), wherein the single hooking member (2) is sized and shaped to be inserted and positioned in the base (13) of the base member (1) through the open side (17) of the base (13), so that the elastically deformable central portion (23) of the second portion (22) is located at the base (13), the distal contact portion (24) of the second portion (22) is in contact with and abuts against the transverse wall (14) of the base (13), and the first portion (22) is positioned at the open side (17) of the base, wherein the elastically deformable central portion (23) of the second portion (22) of the single hooking member (2) is dimensioned so that when the single hooking member (2) is positioned in the base (13) of the base member (1) with the distal contact portion (24) of the second portion (22) in contact and abutting against the transverse wall (14) of the base (13), the second coupling profile (A2) defined by the inclined outer portion (211) of the edge (210) of the first portion (21) of the single hooking member (2) is at a first distance from the first coupling profile (A1) defined by the inclined outer portion (141) of the edge (140) of the transverse wall (14) of the base (13) of the base member (1), the first distance being greater than the distance between the first recess (E1) and the second recess (E2) located below the product support element (E); The hooking system (100) is configured such that, by applying a first pushing action (S1) on the first portion (21) of the single hooking member (2) towards the lateral wall (14) of the base (13) of the base member (1), the elastically deformable central portion (23) of the second portion (22) of the single hooking member (2) is elastically compressed so that the second coupling profile (A2) can be close to the first coupling profile (A1) and positioned at a second distance from the first coupling profile (A1), the second distance being smaller than the distance between the first recess (E1) and the second recess (E2) located in the product support element (E), so that the first recess (E1) can be brought into contact with the base member (1) by bringing the initial portion of the first recess (E1) into contact with the base member (1). 1), and then positioning the product support element (E) above and on both sides of the base part (1) and the single hooking part (2) by terminating the first pushing action (S1) on the first part (21) of the single hooking part (2), so that the elastically deformable central part (23) of the second part (22) of the single hooking part (2) can elastically return to its initial shape to push the second coupling profile (A2) of the first part (21) to couple with the second recess (E2) located in the product support element (E), thereby achieving the hooking of the product support element (E) to the base part (1) and thus achieving the hooking to the closed-loop conveying device (A), And the hooking system (100) is configured so that, thereafter, by applying a second pushing action (S2) on the product supporting element (E) to push the first part (21) of the single hooking component (2) having the second coupling profile (A2) toward the lateral wall (14) of the base (13) of the base component (1), the elastically deformable central part (23) of the second part (22) of the single hooking component (2) is elastically compressed, thereby enabling the product supporting element (E) to translate relative to the base component (1) and thereby disengaging the first recess (E1) from the first coupling profile (A1), so as to unhook the product supporting element (E) from the base component (1) and thereby unhook the closed-loop conveying device (A).

2. The hooking system (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The elastically deformable central portion (23) of the second portion (22) of the single hooking member (2) is constructed to include two S-shaped layer halves (23A, 23B), which are connected to each other via a distal contact portion (24) of the second portion (22) of the single hooking member (2).

3. The hooking system (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: The elastically deformable central portion (23) of the second part (22) of the single hooking element (2) is made of an elastically deformable plastic material with shape memory, preferably a polymeric material, such as various grades of polyamide, or of an acetal resin, which may be loaded.

4. The hooking system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The single hooking member (2) is made to include a pair of adjacent walls (25, 26) integral with the first portion (21) of the single hooking member (2) on both sides of the elastically deformable central portion (23), and wherein the longitudinal walls (15, 16) of the base (13) of the base member (1) each include a protrusion (18, 19), the protrusions (18, 19) defining corresponding guide channels (180, 190) between them and the base of the base (30), the guide channels (180, 190) being used to guide the adjacent walls (25, 26) of the single hooking member (2) when the single hooking member (2) is inserted and positioned in the base (13).

5. The hooking system (100) according to claim 4, wherein: The pair of abutment walls (25, 26) of the single hooking member (2) comprises hook-shaped elements (27, 28) at respective ends, and wherein the protrusions (18, 19) of the longitudinal walls (15, 16) of the base (13) of the base member (1) are configured to form an abutment so as to couple with the hook-shaped elements (27, 28) of the abutment walls (25, 26) so as to maintain the single hooking member (2) in the base (13) once the single hooking member (2) is inserted and positioned in the base (13) of the base member (1).

6. The hooking system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The inner walls of the two side arms (11, 12) of the base member (1) are configured to include corresponding grooves (110, 120), and the grooves (110, 120) have a suitable shape for coupling with a sliding guide (A0) located in the closed-loop conveyor (A) to guide the base member (1) and maintain the stability of the base member (1) during the start-up of the closed-loop conveyor (A) and thereby guide the product support element (E) and maintain the stability of the product support element (E).

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