Lifting system

Abstract

Lifting system for lifting a load from a load space in a storage rack. The lifting system comprises a first guide element (2) configured for attachment to a first horizontal support of the storage rack and a second guide element (3) configured for attachment to a second horizontal support of the storage rack. Provided between the first guide element (2) and the second guide element (3) is a bridge member (10) which connects the first guide element (2) and the second guide element (3) with each other and which is displaceable along at least a part of the length of the guide elements (2). The bridge member (10) at a lower end thereof is coupled with a rotation coupling (11) with a pivotable carrying arm (12) which is provided with a driven lifting device with which the load can be lifted. The second guide element (3) comprises a receiving trough (5) which is configured to receive a feeder cable of the driven lifting device.

Description

[0001] Title: Lifting system

[0002] The invention relates to a lifting system for lifting a load from a load space in a storage rack, wherein the storage rack comprises above the load space at least a first horizontal support and a second horizontal support under the first horizontal support.

[0003] It is customary in trade to temporarily store loads such as wholesale packs, equipment, or other sizeable goods or consumer articles, in appropriate load spaces of open racks, such as, for example, pallet racks. Storage racks typically have multiple horizontal supports placed one above the other, defining load spaces separated from each other in height direction. A load, when so desired, can be placed from the respective load space onto a means of transport such as a fork-lift truck, pallet truck or order picker to be transported therewith to a further destination. An important aspect in this regard is that loads provided in a load space above the ground, as in the lowermost load space of a rack under the lowermost horizontal support, require some lifting for placement on the means of transport. To this end, different solutions are known, such as a motor-driven tackle system that is provided on the means of transport. While the known solutions can realize a lifting of the load, they mostly involve relatively heavy and sizeable devices or machines that, especially in the case of particular loads and racks, cannot be efficiently employed. Accordingly, there is still a need for an alternative solution. The present invention therefore has as one of its objects the provision of a lifting system that meets this need.

[0004] In a first aspect herein, there is provided a lifting system for lifting a load from a load space in a storage rack, wherein the storage rack comprises above the load space at least a first horizontal support and a second horizontal support under the first horizontal support, wherein the lifting system comprises a first guide element configured for attachment to the first horizontal support and a second guide element configured for attachment to the second horizontal support, wherein between the first guide element and the second guide element a bridge member is provided which connects the first guide element and the second guide element with each other and which is displaceable along at least a part of the length of the guide elements, wherein the bridge member at a lower end thereof is coupled with a rotation coupling with a pivotable carrying arm which is provided with a driven lifting device with which the load can be lifted and wherein the second guide element comprises a receiving trough which is configured to receive a feeder cable of the driven lifting device.

[0005] The first and the second guide element of the lifting system can be simply fitted against a storage rack’s first and second horizontal supports, respectively, to enable a lifting of a load out of the load space under the second horizontal support. Also, the bridge member of the lifting system is displaceable along the length of the guide elements so as to be positionable at the location of the desired load that is to be lifted. Optionally, the lifting system is applied with one rack. However, an embodiment of the lifting system is suitable for application with multiple successive racks whose horizontal supports are joined together, wherein the lifting system is primarily based on a length of the guide elements that at least substantially corresponds to a total length of the horizontal supports joined together. The driven lifting device of the lifting system is supplied with electric power by coupling with a feeder cable. The feeder cable is received in the receiving trough of the second guide element in order to counteract the feeder cable getting jammed accidentally or otherwise giving rise to any failure upon a displacement of the bridge member along the guide elements. The lifting system is thus suitable for application with all kinds of storage racks, and, in particular due to the relatively compact and light-weight implementation, is suitable for lifting loads from load spaces of racks where the available space around the rack is limited. Due to its being attached against a rack and being relatively compact, the lifting system is efficiently applicable in many more cases than the known means of transport with lifting device whose maneuverability can be a problem within the given available space. In an embodiment of the lifting system, the first guide element is a mounting plate which is configured for mounting against a front side of the first horizontal support, wherein the mounting plate at a front side comprises a track along which the bridge part is slidably coupled by an upper end thereof. Thus, the starting point is a relatively simple guide which can be simply mounted against the front side of the first horizontal support of the storage rack to take up the forces exerted on the lifting system upon lifting of a load in a height direction, and where the bridge member with complementary sliding means can be slid along the track, passing in front of the rack.

[0006] In a further aspect herein, the second guide element of the lifting system comprises a tubular profile having a U-shaped cross section, which is configured for attachment against a front side of the second horizontal support. The U-shaped tubular profile furnishes sufficient bearing strength to reliably absorb the forces exerted on the lifting system upon lifting of a load, while the space within the tubular profile forms the receiving trough in which the feeder cable of the lifting device can be simply arranged through the open side of the U-shape.

[0007] Preferably, both guiding elements of the lifting system are attached against a front side of the respective horizontal supports so as not to lose any available load space in the storage rack. Also, in particular, both guiding elements have no projecting parts that in a height direction jut out above the respective horizontal support, so as not to limit access to a load space above the respective horizontal support. Preferably, both guiding elements also have no projecting parts that in a height direction jut out under the respective horizontal support.

[0008] In a particular aspect, both guiding elements of the lifting system have a maximum depth dimension, that is, a thickness, of 60 mm. Such a maximum depth of 60 mm for the guiding elements fits in with attachment against a front side of the horizontal supports of the storage rack within acceptable dimensions, that keeps an application of conventional means of transport with the storage rack possible. At a greater depth, the means of transport could be hindered in maneuverability and / or it cannot be guaranteed that a load can be reliably taken into and out of the load space by the means of transport in view of the customary standard dimensions of loads such as pallets, and standard dimensions of lifting elements such as the lifting spoons of a pallet truck or lifting fork of a fork-lift truck.

[0009] In an embodiment of the lifting system, the bridge member is provided with a rolling element that is rollable through the tubular profile for a displacement of the lower end of the bridge member along the second guiding element. The rolling element is optionally a wheel which can absorb the lateral forces exerted on the lifting system upon lifting of a load. In a particular embodiment of the lifting system, the lifting device comprises a vacuum lifter. A vacuum lifter is very suitable for lifting relatively heavy loads from above, regardless of the material of the load concerned.

[0010] Optionally, the vacuum lifter of the lifting system is coupled through a pneumatic or electric tackle to an end of the pivotable carrying arm. The tackle, in one embodiment of the lifting system, is coupled with a so-called cable carrier for supplying compressed air and / or electric power to the tackle, with the cable carrier received in the receiving trough of the second guide element. The cable carrier is easily mountable in the receiving trough while it protects the necessary cables such as a compressed air cable and an electricity cable running to the tackle.

[0011] In a further aspect herein, the bridge member of the lifting system has at the lower end thereof a basic body for coupling with the second guide element and in which the rotation coupling is provided and wherein the rotation coupling is configured for a 360° rotation of the pivotable carrying arm. Optionally, the rotation coupling is configured to rotate the pivotable carrying arm actively or passively between a starting position in which the pivotable carrying arm is largely directed in the load space and a lifting position in which the pivotable carrying arm extends from the storage rack. Preferably, the rotation coupling is then configured to force the carrying arm into the starting position. The pivotable carrying arm can for instance be coupled with the rotation coupling under a bias, with the bias keeping the carrying arm in, or bringing it into, the starting position when there is no threshold value-exceeding rotation force being exerted on the carrying arm. This provides for a safer use of the lifting system because any accidental projecting of the carrying arm into the transport space in front of the rack is thereby counteracted. Optionally, the bias on the carrying arm is realized with a biased spring or different kind of push or pull element that makes pivoting of the carrying arm possible. Preferably, the push or pull element such as a spring is incorporated in the basic body of the lifting system.

[0012] Optionally, a pivoting of the carrying arm towards the starting position is assisted by gravity. For instance, the lifting system can be mounted against a storage rack in such a way that the rotation axis around which the pivotable carrying arm rotates is obliquely oriented with respect to the load space, with a lowermost point of the rotation axis farthest removed from the load space. Such an arrangement of the bridge member and pivotable carrying arm results in a lowest point of a free end of the carrying arm being within the load space, the carrying arm thereby being inclined into the starting position.

[0013] In a particular embodiment of the lifting system, the bridge member has at an upper end thereof at least two mutually spaced apart coupling elements for coupling with the first guide element.

[0014] Optionally, the bridge member of the lifting system comprises between each of the coupling elements and the basic body a respective connecting arm. The basic body, the coupling elements and the connecting arms of the bridge member then constitute a robust and strong supporting structure enabling a load to be reliably lifted and rotated for placement on a means of transport intended for that purpose. Optionally, the bridge member, in an embodiment of the lifting system, is completely formed by the basic body, the coupling elements and connecting arms. Also, in particular, the bridge member is realized to be as light in weight as possible for an improved inertia of the bridge member. Preferably, the bridge member is then implemented such that it can be manually displaced along the guide elements, for instance by exerting a push or pull force on it by hand. Optionally, the lifting system can include drive means configured to drive the bridge member for a displacement along the guide elements. The bridge member may for instance be motor controlled for a displacement thereof.

[0015] In an optional embodiment, the bridge member of the lifting system is length adjustable in a height direction between the first horizontal support and the second horizontal support. In this way, the lifting system can be adapted to possibly varying distances between the first horizontal support and the second horizontal support of various storage racks on which the lifting system can be fitted.

[0016] In a particular aspect of the lifting system, the bridge member comprises a telescopic arm. For instance, the optional one or more connecting arms of the bridge member may be of telescopic design to realize a quick adjustment of the lifting system to a storage rack concerned.

[0017] It is noted that while the invention herein has been indicated and described especially on the basis of a lifting system for lifting a load from a load space in a storage rack, it will be clear that the invention extends, in principle, to a lifting system that makes it possible to lift a load from any type of substrate or supporting surface, regardless of whether the load is provided in a load space of a storage rack. It is further noted that the technical features described herein can also in themselves be advantageously applied in a lifting system of a different configuration, i.e., the individual technical features may, if so desired, be isolated from their context and be applied alone, and, if so desired, be combined with one or more of the above-mentioned features.

[0018] The invention will be further explained on the basis of an exemplary embodiment which is represented in a drawing. In the drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a lifting system according to the first aspect herein, being mounted on a part of a storage rack;

[0019] Figure 2 is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of a lifting system according to the first aspect herein as shown in Figure 1;

[0020] Figure 2 A is a detailed representation of a coupling between a first guide element and the bridge member of the lifting system as shown in the side view of Figure 2; and

[0021] Figure 2B is a detailed representation of a coupling between a second guide element and the bridge member of the lifting system as shown in the side view of Figure 2.

[0022] It is noted that the figures only concern representations of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and that these are given by way of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment. Specifically, for the sake of clarity, some parts and dimensions may be represented exaggeratedly to a greater or lesser extent.

[0023] The Figures 1, 2, 2A and 2B show an exemplary embodiment of the lifting system 1 according to the first aspect herein with the lifting system mounted against a storage rack. The lifting system comprises to that end a first guide element 2 which is attached with fixation means against the front side of a first horizontal support of the rack and a second guide element 3 which is attached with fixation means against the front side of a second horizontal support of the rack. Provided between the first guide element 2 and the second guide element 3 is a bridge member 10 which connects the first guide element 2 and the second guide element 3 with each other and which is displaceable along at least a part of the length of the guide elements 2, 3. The bridge member 10 forms a slide which is displaceable manually with a push or pull force along rails provided on one or both of the guide elements. At a lower end of the bridge member 10 a rotation coupling 11 is provided whereby a pivotable carrying arm 12 is coupled with the bridge member 10. The pivotable carrying arm 12 is rotatable through 360 degrees relative to the bridge member 10 in a plane transverse to the bridge member 10. The carrying arm 12 carries a driven lifting device 13, in this case an electric tackle with vacuum lifter, with which a load can be lifted out of a load space of the rack under the second horizontal support. The second guide element 3 comprises a tubular profile 4 of U-shaped cross section and provides, with the space within the tubular profile 4, a receiving trough 5 in which a cable carrier is provided, passing a feeder cable to the driven lifting device.

[0024] It will be clear to the skilled person that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment discussed here, but that many implementation variants are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A lifting system for lifting a load from a load space in a storage rack, wherein the storage rack comprises above the load space at least a first horizontal support and a second horizontal support under the first horizontal support, wherein the lifting system comprises a first guide element configured for attachment to the first horizontal support and a second guide element configured for attachment to the second horizontal support, wherein between the first guide element and the second guide element a bridge member is provided which connects the first guide element and the second guide element with each other and which is displaceable along at least a part of the length of the guide elements, wherein the bridge member at a lower end thereof is coupled with a rotation coupling with a pivotable carrying arm which is provided with a driven lifting device with which the load can be lifted and wherein the second guide element comprises a receiving trough which is configured to receive a feeder cable of the driven lifting device.

2. Lifting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first guide element comprises a mounting plate which is configured for mounting against a front side of the first horizontal support, wherein the mounting plate at a front side comprises a track along which the bridge member is slidably coupled by an upper end thereof.

3. Lifting system according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the second guide element comprises a tubular profile of U-shaped cross section that is configured for attachment against a front side of the second horizontal support.

4. Lifting system according to claim 3, characterized in that the bridge member is provided with a rolling element that is rollable through the tubular profile for a displacement of the lower end of the bridge member along the second guiding element.

5. Lifting system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lifting device comprises a vacuum lifter.

6. Lifting system according to claim 5, characterized in that the vacuum lifter is coupled with an electric tackle to an end of the pivotable carrying arm.

7. Lifting system according to claim 6, characterized in that the electric tackle is coupled with a cable carrier for supplying compressed air and / or electric power, wherein the cable carrier is received in the receiving trough of the second guide element.

8. Lifting system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bridge member at the lower end thereof has a basic body for coupling with the second guide element and in which the rotation coupling is provided and wherein the rotation coupling is configured for a 360° rotation of the pivotable carrying arm.

9. Lifting system according to claim 8, characterized in that the bridge member at an upper end thereof comprises at least two mutually spaced apart coupling elements for coupling with the first guide element.

10. Lifting system according to claim 9, characterized in that the bridge member comprises between each of the coupling elements and the basic body a respective connecting arm.

11. Lifting system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bridge member is length adjustable in a height direction between the first horizontal support and the second horizontal support.

12. Lifting system according to claim 11, characterized in that the bridge member comprises a telescopic arm.

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