Horizontal conveyor, preferably for transporting pallets loaded with goods

Abstract

A horizontal conveyor is proposed, comprising a main framework (5) consisting of a framework base (6) which can be fixedly anchored on a surrounding floor (3) and a frame (7) supported on the framework base (6). Rollers or rolls (8), with or without a conveyor belt guided over the rollers or rolls, are rotatably mounted in the frame, such that a conveying path (2) for a goods stack (W) is formed. In order to protect persons and objects in the surroundings in the event of unstable goods stacks (W), a protection device is proposed, comprising a protection wall (20A, 20B) disposed along the conveying path (2) on at least one of the two sides of the conveying path (2). The protection wall (20A, 20B) extends at least at a height (H) above the conveying path (2) which is greater than or equal to the width (B) of the conveying path (2). The protection wall (20A, 20B) is fastened to the main framework (5).

Description

[0001] Horizontal conveyor, preferably for transporting pallets loaded with goods

[0002] The invention relates to a horizontal conveyor, preferably for transporting pallets loaded with goods, having the features of the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0003] Such horizontal conveyors are known, for example, as roller conveyors consisting of individual, rotating rollers or cylinders arranged one behind the other, or as belt conveyors, or as a combination of roller and belt conveyors. They are used in technical logistics to transport stacks of goods, e.g., goods stacked on pallets or in wire mesh boxes, from one location to another. These stacks of goods often reach considerable heights, with goods being stacked to a height that can be two to three times the width of the stack.

[0004] A horizontal conveyor for transporting containers is known from DE 73 43 539 U. During transport, the containers rest on a conveyor belt, while simultaneously being guided in a channel formed by profiled walls. The basic static structure of the horizontal conveyor is formed by high girders arranged at regular longitudinal intervals, each consisting of two vertical supports and a yoke connecting the supports. A cross girder rests on the yoke and forms the rigid base for the conveyor belt sliding across it. Since the conveyor belt is endless and circulating, it consists not only of the active, i.e., transporting, belt section but also of a return belt section. It is assumed that the return belt section is returned in a subframe of the horizontal conveyor, which is located beneath the high girders.

[0005] There have been very isolated cases in which heavily loaded pallets have tipped over due to uncontrolled movements during transport on the horizontal conveyor. This may not be critical as long as the direction of fall coincides with the transport direction of the horizontal conveyor. However, situations in which a stack of goods tips to the side and, in the worst case, people are standing next to the conveyor line are critical. But goods or other objects arranged there can also be damaged in such critical situations. The object of the invention is to create precautions on such a horizontal conveyor by means of technical measures for the eventuality of accident-prone situations which can occur in exceptional cases due to uncontrolled movements of a stack of goods during transport.

[0006] To solve this problem, a horizontal conveyor provided with a protective device having the features of patent claim 1 is proposed.

[0007] In its basic structure known from the prior art, the horizontal conveyor comprises a base frame constructed in at least two parts, consisting of a frame base that can be firmly anchored to a surrounding floor and a frame supported on the frame base with rollers or cylinders rotatably mounted therein, forming a conveying path for the stack of goods, with or without a conveyor belt guided over the rollers or cylinders.

[0008] The protective device is characterized by a protective wall arranged on at least one of the two sides of the conveyor line along the conveyor line, wherein the protective wall extends at least at a height above the conveyor line that is equal to or greater than the width of the conveyor line, and wherein the protective wall is fastened to the base frame.

[0009] If protection is necessary or useful not only on one but on both sides of the conveyor line, a preferred embodiment of the horizontal conveyor is characterized by a protective wall on each of the two sides of the conveyor line, wherein the respective protective wall extends at least at a height above the conveyor line that is equal to or greater than the width of the conveyor line, and wherein the respective protective wall is fastened to the base frame.

[0010] The technical solution described here is based, among other things, on the consideration that pallets with low-height stacks of goods arranged on them are at little risk of tipping over during transport on the horizontal conveyor. Therefore, measures to prevent this are not really necessary.

[0011] The situation is different for pallets with a considerable stack of goods. If uncontrolled movements occur in certain situations, there is a risk of the pallet, including the stack of goods, or even just the stack of goods, tipping over. To prevent any danger to persons nearby even in such situations, the protective device proposed here includes a protective wall that extends at least at a height above the conveyor line that is equal to or greater than the width of the conveyor line. The width of the conveyor line is the effective length of the rollers or cylinders for transport, or the width of a conveyor belt forming the means of transport.

[0012] For example, if the conveyor line is 90 cm wide, the protective wall should be located at a height of at least 90 cm above the conveyor line, or at least part of the protective wall should be at this height. However, the protective wall should preferably be twice as high, i.e., at a height of 180 cm or even more.

[0013] Preferably, the protective wall or a protective wall extends at least at a height above the conveyor line which is 1.5 to 2.5 times the width of the conveyor line.

[0014] It is particularly advantageous if any tendency of the stack of goods to tip sideways is prevented from the outset, or at least at a slight tilt angle. To achieve this, it is important to position the respective protective wall as close as possible to the side walls of the stack of goods, while avoiding excessive proximity to prevent the stack of goods from dragging against the protective wall, which could lead to damage to the goods.

[0015] In any case, the protective wall can be positioned relatively close to the sides of the stack of goods, provided the required fixed mounting of the protective wall allows this. Therefore, the protective wall is not attached to the surrounding floor, but rather is secured by connecting it directly to the base frame of the horizontal conveyor, e.g., using appropriate screw connections.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the protective device, the protective wall is attached to the base frame's frame leg, and preferably exclusively to the base frame's leg. This results in attachment close to the ground, but not to the ground itself, which can be advantageous, for example, for the frequently required cleaning of the floor area. Attaching it exclusively to the base frame's leg is also advantageous because the base frame's leg is particularly stable and can therefore bear additional loads, especially since its strength is further increased by its anchoring in the ground.

[0017] For particularly good statics, it is also advantageous if the frame base of the horizontal conveyor is in two parts and is composed of first and second profiles arranged in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor line, parallel to each other and preferably of identical design.

[0018] A preferred embodiment of the frame base is one in which the first and second profiles each have profile areas that extend parallel to the floor and through which screws that can be anchored in the floor are passed for the purpose of anchoring the frame base firmly to the floor.

[0019] With regard to a design of the frame of the base frame, it is proposed that the frame consists of side cheeks on which the rollers or cylinders are mounted and a base arranged between the side cheeks, and that the base is supported on the frame foot and firmly connected to it.

[0020] The protective wall can, for example, be fixed to upright supports arranged consecutively along the conveyor line, the lower ends of which are attached to the base frame. Preferably, the protective wall is fixed to the side of the respective support facing the conveyor line. The lower ends of the supports can be connected to the base frame via one or more screw connections. Alternatively, the lower ends of the supports can be welded to the base frame.

[0021] To ensure the supports do not interfere with the regularly required floor cleaning, the supports, including their lower ends, should be positioned at a vertical distance from the floor. This has the additional advantage of keeping the floor area free of mounting elements.

[0022] There are various options for the design of the crash barrier. The crash barrier can be designed as at least one horizontally extending plank, similar to a guardrail. Two or three planks arranged one above the other can also form the crash barrier.

[0023] It can be advantageous if there are no additional protective wall sections below the plank(s) but above the conveyor level. For example, neither the plank nor any part of it should be at a height less than the width of the conveyor line. This ensures that lateral access to the horizontal conveyor, for example, during maintenance work, is not compromised. It can also be advantageous to design the protective wall as a safety net suspended from attachment points on the supports. Such a safety net is also suitable for preventing falling or tipping objects from posing a danger to the surrounding area.

[0024] In another design, the protective device takes the form of a tunnel. The protective walls arranged on both sides of the conveyor line are the side wall sections of a tunnel arching over the conveyor line in an inverted U-shape. Profiled plates, which can be bent into the desired arched shape, are suitable for the tunnel material. This design of the protective device provides the greatest overall protective effect, but it requires a relatively large amount of material.

[0025] However, there are also many other possibilities in the design of the protective device according to the invention.

[0026] Examples of the protective device on a horizontal conveyor are described below using the drawings. These show

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a protective device on a horizontal conveyor in a view in the longitudinal direction, ie in the conveying or transport direction, the horizontal conveyor being shown with a pallet loaded with goods transported thereon;

[0028] Fig. 2 shows, in a view in the longitudinal direction, ie in the conveying or transport direction, another embodiment of a protective device on a horizontal conveyor, the horizontal conveyor being shown with a pallet loaded with goods transported thereon;

[0029] Fig. 3 in a view in the longitudinal direction, ie in the conveying or transport direction, yet another embodiment of a protective device on a horizontal conveyor, wherein the horizontal conveyor is shown with a pallet loaded with goods transported thereon.

[0030] The horizontal conveyor 1 shown in the figures provides a conveyor line 2 for transporting pallets P provided with stacks of goods W resting on the pallets P. The stacks of goods W can be of considerable height. The transport mechanism of the conveyor line 2 can be formed, for example, by driven rollers or cylinders, or a conveyor belt guided over rollers or cylinders, or a belt conveyor.

[0031] The goods to be transported don't necessarily have to be on a pallet. On conveyor line 2, they can also be transported in pallet cages, for example, or even without any supporting loading equipment.

[0032] The horizontal conveyor does not have to be located on the hall floor, but can, for example, be arranged on a platform raised above the actual hall floor, as shown in Fig. 2, consisting of a floor 3 made of floor panels. In this case, the platform with the floor panels is supported on the actual hall floor via vertical supports 4.

[0033] On the hall floor or the platform, parallel to the horizontal conveyor 1 and thus the conveyor line 2, there is a walkway accessible by people.

[0034] Rollers or cylinders 8 are rotatably mounted in a base frame of the horizontal conveyor. In the case of the roller conveyor design, the rollers or cylinders 8, arranged with their rotational axes transverse to the conveying or transport direction, form the conveyor section 2 with their upper side, on which the pallet P rests during transport. In the case of the belt conveyor design, an endless belt can additionally be guided around the rollers, so that the upper side of the belt, on which the pallet P rests, then forms the conveyor section 2.

[0035] The width B of the conveyor line 2, viewed transversely to the transport direction, is the total width of the rollers or cylinders 8 in the first case, and the width of the belt in the second case. The width B is adjusted to the width of the pallets P or stacks of goods to be transported, viewed in the transport direction.

[0036] The base frame 5 is at least two-part and consists of a frame base 6 and a frame 7 supported thereon and firmly connected to the frame base 6. The bearings for the rollers or cylinders 8 are located on or in the frame 7.

[0037] The frame 7 of the base frame 5 consists of side walls on which the rollers or cylinders 8 are mounted, and a base arranged between the side walls. The base is supported on the frame foot 6 and firmly connected to it. In the embodiments described here, the frame foot 6 of the base frame 5 is two-part and consists of first and second profiles arranged parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor line 2. The two profiles can have a II-shaped profile cross-section or a different profile cross-section, for example, by being designed as double T-profiles.

[0038] The two profiles forming the frame base 6 preferably have identical cross-sections and, in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, are each supported directly on the floor 3 with their undersides. They are also firmly anchored to the floor 3 by vertically screwing profile sections of the profiles that extend parallel to the floor 3 to the floor. The frame base 6 formed by the two profiles preferably has a total width that is less than the width of the frame 7 arranged above it.

[0039] An aisle may extend alongside and along conveyor line 2, where people may also be present. In very rare but not entirely impossible situations, should a stack of goods W currently being transported tip over, such people would be at great risk from falling goods. Therefore, the arrangement includes a protective device with protective walls between the horizontal conveyor and the aisle, described in more detail below.

[0040] If a similar hazardous situation exists on the other side of the horizontal conveyor, appropriate protection is also provided there, or a common protective device is used that provides equal protection on both sides.

[0041] An advantage is that parts of the safety device can be retrofitted, i.e., installed on an existing horizontal conveyor. Even with retrofitting, the safety device requires relatively little additional space. Additional fastening and installation work on floor 3 is not absolutely necessary.

[0042] The protective device can be designed, for example, so that it does not form a completely closed wall facing the adjacent aisle, but rather continues to provide a connection between the conveyor line 2 and the aisle. This can be useful, for example, to be able to carry out maintenance work on elements of the horizontal conveyor 1 from the aisle at any time without first having to remove parts of the protective device. The protective device includes an upright protective wall 20A, at least on the side to be protected. Protective walls 20A, 20B are preferably located on both sides of the conveyor line 2 along the conveyor line 2.

[0043] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the protective walls 20A, 20B are planks that extend horizontally along the horizontal conveyor at a certain minimum height. Two planks are arranged one above the other on each side of the conveyor, which together form the left protective wall 20A and the right protective wall 20B, respectively.

[0044] The number of planks arranged one above the other can vary. It is important that the support wall 20A, 20B designed in this way is at a certain minimum and maximum height in order to be able to safely catch a pallet of goods tipping sideways. This is achieved by the respective support wall 20A, 20B being at a height H above the conveyor section 2 that is equal to or greater than the width B of the conveyor section. If the width B of the conveyor section is 90 cm, for example, the support wall should also be at a height of 90 cm or higher. Preferably, it extends at least to a height H above the conveyor section 2 that is 1.5 to 2.5 times the width B.

[0045] It can be advantageous if no parts of the protective wall 20A, 20B are located at a height less than the width B of the conveyor line 2. This is because at such a low height, it is not necessary to support and thus catch a heavily loaded pallet, which is therefore prone to tipping. However, the absence of a protective or supporting wall at a low height above the conveyor line 2 ensures that a connection remains between the conveyor line and the adjacent, accessible aisle, so that maintenance work on elements of the horizontal conveyor can be carried out from the aisle without first having to remove parts of the protective device.

[0046] In Fig. 1, the protective wall 20A, 20B is not attached to the floor 3, but rather to the base frame 5. For this purpose, the protective wall 20A, 20B includes several upright supports 22, which are arranged consecutively along the conveyor line 2. In Fig. 1, the lower ends 23 of the supports 22 are attached exclusively to the frame base 6 of the base frame 5, e.g., by means of screws. The frame base 6, in turn, is firmly anchored to the floor 3 by means of other screws.

[0047] The supports 22 are preferably arranged at regular intervals along the conveyor line 2, e.g., at intervals of 2 m. In order to ensure that the protective wall 20A, 20B has a smooth surface in the transport direction, it is fixed to the side of the supports 22 facing the conveyor line 2. The lower ends 23 of the supports 22 can be attached directly to the side walls of the base frame 5 by either screwing or welding.

[0048] Fig. 1 shows, with a dashed line depicting a stack of goods W1, the typical hazardous situation in which the stack of goods W has tilted to one side, hitting the protective wall 20A arranged there in its upper stacking area. This prevents the stack of goods W1 from tipping further. The illustration shows how crucial the minimum height at which a protective wall 20A, 20B is arranged is. If the supporting wall is not high enough, the upper stacking area of ​​the stack of goods will not be supported laterally. On the other hand, if the protective wall is positioned too high, namely above the height of the stack of goods W1, it will not be possible to catch the load in the hazardous situation.

[0049] Fig. 2 shows another embodiment in which the protective walls 20A, 20B arranged on each of the two sides of the conveyor line 2 are side wall sections of a larger tunnel 30 that arches over the conveyor line 2 in an inverted II shape. Thus, the anti-tip protection is not provided by a discrete support element such as a plank, but rather by a wall section of the larger tunnel 30 that is present at the correct height.

[0050] Profiled panels, which can be easily bent into the II shape, are suitable as material for the tunnel 30. Instead of the vertical supports 22 shown in Fig. 1, U-shaped frames can also be used in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, which stabilize the shape of the tunnel against larger forces. These frames are preferably designed to hold the panel material forming the tunnel 30 on its outer side.

[0051] In Fig. 2, too, the protective walls 20A, 20B or the frames carrying and supporting them are anchored exclusively to the base frame 5 and preferably to its floor-mounted frame base 6.

[0052] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the protective walls 20A, 20B are designed as vertically arranged safety nets that extend along the conveyor line 2. Safety nets are arranged on both sides of the conveyor line. The safety nets are attached to horizontally tensioned cables 27, which in turn are attached to the upright supports 22. In Fig. 3, the supports 22 are simultaneously attached to the frame base 6 of the base frame 5 and to the floor 3. For this purpose, the lower end 23 of each support 22 has the shape of a horizontal plate 25, which is arranged between the frame base 6 and the floor 3. Screws 28 anchored in the floor 3 extend vertically through the frame base 6 and the horizontal plate 25 of the support 22.

[0053] In general, it is advantageous to arrange the respective protective wall 20A, 20B as close as possible to the side walls of the stack of goods W. This prevents any tendency of the stack of goods W to tip sideways, or at least even at a slight tilt angle. However, the supporting wall 20A, 20B must not be too close to the stack of goods W, so that the stack of goods cannot drag against the supporting wall.

[0054] List of reference symbols

[0055] 1 horizontal conveyor

[0056] 2 conveyor line

[0057] 3 Floor

[0058] 4 Support

[0059] 5 Base frame

[0060] 6 frame foot

[0061] 7 frames

[0062] 8 rollers, rollers

[0063] 20 A protective wall

[0064] 20 B protective wall

[0065] 22 Support

[0066] 23 End of the support

[0067] 25 plate

[0068] 27 rope

[0069] 28 screw

[0070] 30 tunnels

[0071] B Width

[0072] H Height

[0073] P Palette

[0074] W stack of goods

[0075] W1 tilted stack of goods

Claims

Patent claims 1. Horizontal conveyor, preferably for transporting pallets (P) loaded with goods, comprising a base frame (5) consisting of a frame base (6) that can be anchored firmly to a surrounding floor (3) and a frame (7) supported on the frame base (6) with rollers or cylinders (8) rotatably mounted therein to form a conveying section (2), with or without a conveyor belt guided over the rollers or cylinders, characterized by a protective device with a protective wall (20A, 20B) which is arranged on at least one of the two sides of the conveying section (2) along the conveying section (2), wherein the protective wall (20A, 20B) extends at least to a height (H) above the conveying section (2) which is equal to or greater than the width (B) of the conveying section (2), and wherein the protective wall (20A, 20B) is attached to the base frame (5).

2. Horizontal conveyor according to claim 1, characterized by a protective wall (20A, 20B) on each of the two sides of the conveyor section (2), wherein the respective protective wall (20A, 20B) extends at least to a height (H) above the conveyor section (2) which is equal to or greater than the width (B) of the conveyor section (2), and wherein the respective protective wall (20A, 20B) is attached to the base frame (5).

3. Horizontal conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the protective wall (20A, 20B) extends at least to a height (H) above the conveyor section (2) which is 1.5 to 2.5 times the width (B) of the conveyor section (2).

4. Horizontal conveyor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective wall (20A, 20B) is attached to the frame base (6) of the base frame (5).

5. Horizontal conveyor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame base (6) of the base frame (5) is two-part and is composed of first and second profiles arranged parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor section (2).

6. Horizontal conveyor according to claim 5, characterized in that the first and second profiles each have profile areas that are parallel to the floor (3) extend and are guided through the screws that can be anchored in the ground (3) for the ground-secure anchoring of the frame base (6).

7. Horizontal conveyor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (7) of the base frame (5) consists of side walls on which the rollers (8) are mounted and a base arranged between the side walls, and that the base is supported on the frame foot (6) and is firmly connected to it.

8. Horizontal conveyor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective wall (20A, 20B) is fixed to upright supports (22) which are arranged successively along the conveyor route (2) and whose lower ends (23) are attached to the base frame (5).

9. Horizontal conveyor according to claim 8, characterized in that the protective wall (20A, 20B) is fixed on the side of the respective support (22) facing the conveyor section (2).

10. Horizontal conveyor according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the lower ends (23) of the supports (22) are screwed or welded to the frame foot (6) of the base frame (5).

11. Horizontal conveyor according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the supports (22) including their lower ends (23) are arranged at a vertical distance to the floor (3).

12. Horizontal conveyor according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the lower ends (23) of the supports (22) are screwed to the frame foot (6) of the base frame (5) and simultaneously to the floor (3).

13. Horizontal conveyor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the design of the protective wall (20A, 20B) as at least one horizontally extending plank.

14. Horizontal conveyor according to claim 13, characterized in that neither the plank nor parts thereof extend to a height that is less than the width (B) of the conveyor section (2).

15. Horizontal conveyor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the protective wall (20A, 20B) being designed as a hanging safety net.

16. Horizontal conveyor according to claim 2, characterized in that the protective walls (20A, 20B) arranged on each of the two sides of the conveyor section (2) are side wall sections of a tunnel arching over the conveyor section (2) in an inverted I-shape.

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