DEVICE FOR PRECISELY POSITIONING A TRANSPORT PALLET

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for precisely positioning a transport pallet, in particular an air freight pallet, on a surface on which the transport pallet can slide, for example a Castor deck. Background of the invention

[0002] In the prior art, a number of devices and methods are known for positioning transport pallets on flat surfaces or on caster decks in warehouses, ships, aircraft or vehicles.

[0003] One known solution for this purpose involves using a pull strap or hook, which is attached to the edge rails of air freight pallets using so-called double mushroom eyelets. To ensure a degree of workplace safety, it is important that the two free ends of the pull strap are spaced apart and attached centrally to the pallet. This creates a V-shape in the strap, allowing the operator some, albeit limited, control over the pallet's position. A further disadvantage is that the pallet can essentially only be positioned in the direction of pull, i.e., towards the operator. Positioning by rotating around a vertical axis is limited, and positioning by sliding the pallet away from the operator is not possible.This prevents an operator from slowing down a pallet moving towards them, resulting in a high risk of crushing.

[0004] DE 198 20 942 A1 discloses a panel trolley with a detachable drawbar, wherein a positive-locking plug connection is provided between the drawbar and the panel trolley, which ensures a high degree of mobility of the drawbar. This allows several panel trolleys to be moved with a single drawbar.

[0005] EP 1 852 328 A2 discloses a rolling pallet for transporting and stacking goods. The rolling pallet consists of a cuboid and plate-shaped hollow body, the side walls of which are constructed from four elongated profile strips with a rectangular cross-section. A top plate is attached to the upper sides of the profile strips, and a bottom plate to the undersides. An opening is provided in one side wall. Inside, on the underside of the top plate, three casters are attached, projecting downwards through openings in the bottom plate, and all casters are aligned with their running surfaces on a travel plane approximately parallel to the bottom plate.

[0006] US Patent 2,776,856 A describes devices or tools for lifting and transporting materials and objects, such as wood, boxes, tiles, and the like. The lifting device comprises a pair of essentially Z-shaped sheet metal frame elements spaced apart from each other, with each arm arranged approximately at right angles to adjacent arms.

[0007] US 8,424,886 B2 describes a device according to the preamble of claim 1. The document describes, in particular, a container carrier and, more specifically, a handle assembly for a drum carrier. The handle assembly comprises a primary support, an upper engagement piece adjustably connected to the primary support, and a lower engagement piece pivotably connected to the primary support, the lower engagement piece comprising an actuating mechanism, such as a footplate, for pivoting the lower engagement piece relative to the upper engagement piece. A preload mechanism, such as a coil spring, is connected to the lower engagement piece to push the lower engagement piece upward. Description of the invention

[0008] Based on this situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a device for the precise positioning of a transport pallet, in particular an air freight pallet, with which controlled positioning of the pallet in all horizontal directions of movement, especially linear and rotary movements, is possible. Furthermore, the device is intended to offer improved usability and occupational safety compared to existing solutions.

[0009] The object of the invention is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] Accordingly, the task is solved by a device for precisely positioning a transport pallet, in particular an air cargo pallet, comprising a coupling unit for coupling with the transport pallet, a handle element arranged on the coupling unit for handling the device by an operator, and a locking unit for locking the coupling unit to the transport pallet in a position-fixed and rotation-fixed manner.

[0011] The device according to the invention provides a handle for an operator, enabling them to move, align, and position a transport pallet, particularly an air freight pallet, with low force and high accuracy, precisely in terms of position and rotation angle, especially on a so-called caster deck. Positioning of the pallet in any horizontal direction is possible. Due to the position-fixed and rotation-fixed locking of the coupling unit to the transport pallet, the operator can advantageously pull the pallet towards them, push it away, move it to the left and right, and rotate it in both directions about a horizontal pivot axis with full control.Since the relative position of the pallet and the operator can be controlled very easily and effectively by the latter, the device according to the invention ensures a particularly high level of occupational safety, which is of particular importance especially in view of the sometimes high weights being moved, but also with empty pallets or pallets loaded with a weight of up to 100 kg, for example.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the handle element has a pivot joint with a horizontally oriented axis of rotation. Alternatively or additionally, the handle element is arranged on the coupling unit by means of such a pivot joint. In the manner described above, it is ensured that the handle element is rotatable relative to the coupling unit about an axis that is horizontal when the device is used as intended. Preferably, the handle element is pivotable within an angular range of at least 180°, such that, when the coupling unit is engaged with the pallet, it can come to rest on the floor or the pallet in both directions of rotation. This reliably prevents the transmission of a torque acting transversely to the edge of the pallet by the handle element and the coupling unit to the edge of the pallet, and thus prevents damage to the pallet.The invention also includes embodiments with a smaller swivel angle range, for example, approximately 90°, ±10°, or ±5°. Even with a swivel angle of approximately 110°, the risk of pallet damage is low. By providing such a swivel joint, the movements involved in handling the pallet with the device can be designed to be very flexible. The swivel joint can be scalable or adjustable, so that the swivel angle range enabled for the handle can be specifically set according to the requirements. For example, the swivel angle can be determined by stops on the swivel joint. These stops allow a locking element, described below, to engage at certain swivel angles towards the operator. The maximum swivel angle towards the operator can be, for example, 42 or 49 degrees.

[0013] A particularly high level of protection against crushing injuries to operators can be achieved according to a further embodiment by designing the pivot angle of the aforementioned swivel joints of the handle element such that the underside of the handle element on the side opposite the coupling element is always approximately 19 cm ± 1 cm away from the ground. In this way, crushing injuries to the operator's feet can be virtually eliminated. The handle element should be pivotable towards the pallet such that its upper end projects approximately 40 cm to 50 cm into the base of the pallet. This allows the handle element, and thus almost the entire device, to be "parked" within the pallet without any parts of the device protruding significantly from the pallet into the surrounding space and posing a hazard to passing persons or vehicles.Furthermore, the provision of a swivel joint prevents the handle from being used to lift the edge of the pallet opposite the handle or to push the pallet along the handle when it is in its highest position.

[0014] Another embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the handle element has a substantially U-shaped bracket with two free ends or arms. In this case, a coupling unit is arranged at each of the two free ends / arms. Such a design of the handle element is advantageously particularly user-friendly because rotational movements of the pallet in both directions are very easy and require little effort. Furthermore, such a bracket offers sufficient space for two-handed operation, which again facilitates work. Another advantage is that the pallet is contacted by means of two spaced-apart coupling elements, so that the forces and moments transmitted via a single coupling element are low, thus reliably preventing damage to the pallet and its edge.

[0015] According to the invention, the coupling unit has a substantially U-shaped claw. This claw is designed and intended for gripping the edge of the transport pallet. It preferably has a lower free arm designed and intended for gripping under the edge of the pallet, an upper free arm designed and intended for gripping over the edge of the pallet, and a central section connecting the two arms. This central section is designed and intended for contact with the edge and, in particular, for transmitting shear forces from the device to the pallet. The distance between the two free arms is preferably slightly greater than the edge thickness of the pallet, such that both easy positioning of the coupling device on the pallet edge and a sufficiently stable fit are ensured.

[0016] According to the invention, the locking unit comprises a locking element that can be positioned relative to the coupling unit. This locking element interacts with the pallet in a manner that secures and fixes the coupling element to it, in particular by being designed to engage with a seat track rail of the transport pallet. According to the invention, the locking element can interact with the pallet in a positive-locking and / or force-locking manner. It prevents the coupling device from unintentionally detaching from the pallet during handling using the device according to the invention. Furthermore, the locking element can create a positive-locking and / or force-locking connection between the coupling unit, in particular the claw, and the pallet, thus significantly contributing to the positioning of the pallet in all horizontal directions.The locking element reliably prevents the coupling device from unintentionally detaching from the pallet, which in turn contributes to an improvement in occupational safety compared to the state of the art.

[0017] According to the invention, the locking element extends through at least one free arm of the U-shaped claw. Alternatively, according to the invention, it can also engage in or extend through the opposite free arm of the claw. In this way, a firm and secure fit on the pallet and good force and torque transmission are ensured.

[0018] According to a particularly safe and user-friendly embodiment of the invention, the locking element is pre-tensioned into a locked position in which the claw is locked to the transport pallet. This pre-tensioning can be achieved by any pre-tensioning means; a particularly robust and cost-effective solution involves generating it by means of a mechanical compression or tension spring.

[0019] According to the invention, the device also includes a release mechanism for unlocking the locking unit, which can be operated by a person. The release mechanism has a pivot lever mechanism operatively connected to the locking element. Alternatively or additionally, the release mechanism can have a pull handle for manual operation, located near the handle. A particularly ergonomic embodiment provides that the release mechanism is foot-operated, so that unlocking can be carried out particularly quickly and easily without the operator having to release the handle or bend down. This, in turn, improves the operator's safety, as they can constantly monitor and, if necessary, correct the position of the pallet with the device in place.

[0020] Another embodiment of the invention provides that the device includes a damping element. This element connects the coupling unit to the handle element in a damping manner, so that shocks and vibrations generated during handling of the pallet and transmitted to the device are advantageously not transmitted to the operator, and in particular to their wrists. Furthermore, loads acting on the pallet from the handle element are dampened in the opposite direction, thus reducing stress and damage to the pallet. The damping element can be in the form of a rubber damper or silent block. If the device has a pivot joint located between the coupling unit and the handle element, the damping element can be integrated into the pivot joint in a particularly compact embodiment. The damping element can advantageously be adjustable.

[0021] The device can be a welded construction made of a suitable steel material or of cast steel.

[0022] The handle element can be hollow or made of tubular elements. Components such as the release mechanism and / or the damping element can then advantageously be arranged within the handle element, shielded from negative environmental influences and the operator.

[0023] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the device is not operated manually with a pull handle, but rather that the force is exerted by a hydraulic system of a mechanical device. This system is connected to a suitable tractor and, with an arrangement of several coupling elements connected side by side, can also move fully loaded air freight pallets on a Castor deck or similar structure under the full control of the operator. Additionally, it is conceivable that the device is not operated manually with a pull handle, but rather that the force is exerted by a hydraulic system of a mechanical device.This system is connected to a suitable tractor unit and, with an arrangement of several coupling elements connected side by side, can also move fully loaded air freight pallets on a Castor deck or similar under full control. Brief description of the drawings

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and by way of preferred embodiments.

[0025] The drawings show Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention in two schematic views from different perspectives; Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of the example. Fig. 1 in a side view, Fig. 3 a detail view of a further embodiment in a sectional view, Fig. 4 a detail view of the further embodiment of the Figure 3In a side view, Fig. 5 shows a detailed view of a further embodiment; in a side view, Fig. 6 shows a detailed view of the example of the Fig. 1 as a further embodiment with transport wheels. Detailed description of the implementation examples

[0026] The described embodiments are merely examples that can be modified and / or supplemented in various ways within the scope of the claims. Each feature described for a specific embodiment can be used independently or in combination with other features in any other embodiment. Each feature described for an embodiment of a particular category can also be used accordingly in an embodiment of another category.

[0027] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a device 1 for precisely positioning a transport pallet 2, which here is designed in the form of an air freight pallet 2. The device 1 has a first coupling unit 3 and a second, identical coupling unit 4 for coupling with an edge strip 5 of the transport pallet 2. The edge strip 5 is specifically designed as a so-called seat track strip 5. The pallet 2 also includes a handle element 6 arranged on the coupling units 3 and 4 for handling the device 1 by an operator (not shown). Finally, the device 1 has a first locking unit 7 and a second locking unit 8, each for locking the respective coupling unit 3 or 4 to the edge strip 5 of the transport pallet 2 in a positionally fixed and rotationally fixed manner.Since the first coupling unit 3 and the second coupling unit 4 are identical in construction, only the first coupling unit 3 will be described below, although this description applies equally to the coupling unit 4.

[0028] The handle element 6 is designed as an essentially U-shaped bracket 6 with a first free handle element arm 9, an opposing second free handle element arm 10, and a handle section 11 connecting them. The two handle element arms 9 and 10 are connected to each other for stabilization by means of a central crossbar 12 and an end crossbar 13.

[0029] Especially in the side view of the Figure 1 It is clearly visible that inA pivot joint 14 is arranged in the handle element arm 9, and an identical pivot joint 15 is arranged in the handle element arm 10. The pivot joint 14 connects the handle element arm 9 to a lower arm section 16, while the pivot joint 15 connects the handle element arm 10 to a lower arm section 17. As shown in the front view of the Figure 1 As shown, arm section 16 is rigidly connected to coupling unit 3, here welded. Arm section 17 is also rigidly connected to coupling unit 4, here welded. The two pivot joints 14 and 15 are each damped by a damping element in the form of a silent block, which is not visible in the figures. They have a swivel angle range of approximately 110°.

[0030] Details of coupling unit 3 are in Figure 2The coupling unit 3 is designed in the form of an essentially U-shaped claw 3. It is designed to grip the edge of the transport pallet 2 and has a lower free arm 18, which is designed to grip under the edge 19 of the pallet 2, an upper free arm 20, which is designed to grip over the edge 19 of the pallet 2, and a central piece 21 connecting the two arms 18 and 20. This central piece 21 is designed to contact the edge of the pallet 2 and thus transmit shear forces from the device 1 to the pallet 2. The distance between the two free arms 18 and 20 is preferably slightly greater than the edge thickness of the pallet 2, such that both easy positioning of the coupling device 3 on the pallet edge 19 and a sufficiently stable fit are ensured. Reinforcements 22 are formed between the arms 18 and 20 and the central piece 21.

[0031] In the upper arm 20, an opening 24 surrounded by a guide sleeve 23 is formed, in which a locking element 25 of the locking unit 7 is positioned transversely to the pallet plane. The locking element 25 can therefore be positioned relative to the coupling unit 3, 4 and is designed to engage the edge rail 5 or seat track rail 5 of the transport pallet 2. The locking unit 7 also comprises a coupling lever 29, which is pivotably arranged on the locking element 25 about a pivot pin 26 and on a release device 28 about a pivot pin 27. This coupling lever is pre-tensioned by means of a pre-tensioning element 30, here in the form of a tension spring 30, into a locked position in which the claw 3 is locked to the transport pallet 2.

[0032] The coupling lever 29 is pivotably connected to a free arm 31 of a U-shaped pull-operating handle 32. This handle includes, in addition to the arm 31, a parallel arm 33, which is connected at its end to the coupling lever 29 of the coupling device 4.

[0033] The two arms 31 and 33 are connected to each other via a handle center piece 34. Due to the geometry described above, the handle element 6 can be pivoted about the two pivot joints 14 and 15 without such a pivoting movement causing the locking units 7 and 8 to release. These can only be unlocked by the user by pulling up the pull-operating handle 32, which acts against the tension of the spring 30 on the corresponding locking elements 25 via the respective coupling levers 29, thus lifting the locking elements 25.

[0034] The Figures 3 and 4Figure 1 shows a further embodiment of the device 1 in detailed views. This embodiment is largely similar to the embodiment described above. Figure 1 and 2 Therefore, reference is made to this description, and only differences are described below. Instead of the swivel joints 14 and 15, swivel joints 35 with a significantly smaller swivel angle range of approximately + / -5° in both directions are formed between the handle element arms 9, 10 and the respective arm section 16, 17. The handle element arm 9, 10 is tubular and contains a damping unit 36, which is Figure 3 shown.

[0035] The arm section 16, 17 projects with a frustoconical pin 37 beyond the pivot joint 35 into the handle element arm 9, 10. The distal end of this pin 37 engages a rubber sleeve 38, which acts as a damping element 38 and is made of a rubber material with a Shore hardness between 45 and 53. The rubber sleeve 38 can be positioned towards the pin 37 by means of a screw 39 fixed to the handle element arm 9, 10, thereby adjusting the damping force. Another difference is that, instead of the coupling lever 29, a coupling lever 40 is provided, rotatably mounted on the arm section 16, 17 on one side and rotatably mounted on the locking element 25 on the other. A connecting lever 41, pivotally connected to the pull-operating handle 32, is articulated to this coupling lever approximately in the middle. The pull-operating handle 32 is pre-tensioned into the locking position by means of a compression spring 42.

[0036] The exemplary embodiment of the Figure 5 differs from the embodiment of the Figure 1 and 2 by having a release device 43 instead of the release device 28 with the manually operated pull handle 32. This release device comprises an actuating lever 45 provided with a footrest 44, which is articulated to the arm section 16 by a pivot joint 46. At its end opposite the footrest 44, the lever 45 is provided with a roller 47, which can be brought into contact with a coupling arm 49 and engage in a recess 48 of the coupling arm 49.

[0037] The coupling arm 49 is connected to the arm section 16 by a joint 50 on one side and to the locking element 25 by a joint 51 on the other, and is pre-tensioned into the locked position by a tension spring 52. To move the locking unit 7 from the locked position to the unlocked position, the operator must press down the footrest 44, which causes the coupling lever 45 to rotate about its pivot 46 and engage the roller 47 with the coupling arm 49. Further actuation of the footrest 44 pivots and raises the coupling arm 49 about its joint 50, thereby moving the locking element 25 from the locked position to the unlocked position. The coupling arm 49 can be held in the unlocked position by the roller 47 engaging in the recess 48.

[0038] Finally, it shows Figure 6Another embodiment of the device 1 with transport wheels 53 mounted on the lower crossbar 13 between the handle element arms 9, 10. The transport wheels 53 could also be mounted outside the handle element arms 9, 10 on the lower crossbar 13. Figure 7 Figure 1 shows another embodiment of the device 1 with stops 54 on the pivot 14 to lock the coupling lever 45.

[0039] The described embodiments are merely examples that can be modified and / or supplemented in various ways within the scope of the claims. Each feature described for a particular embodiment can be used independently or in combination with other features in any other embodiment. Each feature described for an embodiment of a particular category can also be used accordingly in an embodiment of a different category. Reference symbol list

[0040] device 1 Transport pallet, air freight pallet 2 Coupling unit 3 Coupling unit 4 Edge strip 5 Handle element 6 locking unit 7 locking unit 8 Handle arm 9 Handle arm 10 Handle section 11 crossbar 12 crossbar 13 Swivel joint 14 Swivel joint 15 arm section 16 arm section 17 arm 18 edge 19 arm 20 middle section 21 Reinforcements 22 Guide sleeve 23 opening 24 bar element 25 pivot 26 pivot 27 Trigger device 28 Coupling lever 29 Preload element, tension spring 30 arm 31 Pull handle 32 arm 33 Handle center piece 34 Swivel joint 35 Damping unit 36 Cones 37 Rubber sleeve, damping element 38 screw 39 Coupling lever 40 Connecting lever 41 Compression spring 42 Trigger device 43 footrest 44 Actuating lever 45 Swivel joint 46 role 47 Exclusion 48 Coupling arm 49 Swivel joint 50 Swivel joint 51 Tension spring 52 cargo bikes 53 stop 54

Claims

1. Device (1) for accurately positioning a transport pallet (2), in particular an air-freight pallet (2), comprising a coupling unit (3, 4) for coupling to the transport pallet (2), a handle element (6) arranged on the coupling unit (3, 4) for handling of the device (1) by an operator, and a locking unit (7, 8) for locking the coupling unit (3, 4) to the transport pallet (2) in a positionally fixed and rotationally fixed manner, wherein the device (1) comprises a trigger device (28, 43) able to be actuated by an operator that serves for unlocking the locking unit (7, 8), wherein the trigger device (28, 43) has a pivoting-lever mechanism (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49) which is operatively connected to a locking element (25) of the locking unit (7, 8), wherein the coupling unit (3, 4) has a substantially U-shaped claw (3, 4) for engaging around the edge of the transport pallet (2), wherein the locking element (25) of the locking unit (7, 8) is relatively positionable with respect to the coupling unit (3, 4) and is configured for engaging into a seat-track strip (5) of the transport pallet (2), characterized in that the locking element (25) engages through at least one free end or free arm (18, 20) of the U-shaped claw (3, 4).

2. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the handle element (6) has a rotary joint (14, 15, 35) with a horizontally positioned axis of rotation and / or is arranged on the coupling unit (3, 4) by means of such a rotary joint (14, 15, 35) such that the handle element (6) is rotatable relative to the coupling unit (3, 4) about an axis which is horizontal when the device is used as intended.

3. Device (1) according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the handle element (6) has a substantially U-shaped bow (6) with two free arms (9, 10), and on both free arms (9, 10) there is arranged in each case one coupling unit (3, 4).

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking element (25) is preloaded into a locking position, in which the claw (3, 4) is locked to the transport pallet (2), in particular by means of a mechanical preload element (30, 42, 52) such as a mechanical compression spring (42) or tension spring (30, 52).

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivoting-lever mechanism (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49) is able to be actuated by foot and / or the trigger device (28, 43) has a pulling bow (32) arranged close to the handle element (6) that serves for manual actuation.

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a damping element (38), which connects the coupling unit (3, 4) to the handle element (6) in a damping manner, in particular a rubber damper or silent block.

7. Device (1) according to the preceding claim and Claim 2, wherein the damping element (38) is integrated into the rotary joint (14, 15).