Tyre shelf and arrangement in a tyre storage

Abstract

This invention relates to a tyre shelf of a tyre rack (1) for storing several vehicle tyres, which tyre shelf (4) comprises a support beam (5) and a set of tyre support arms (6) fastened transversely to the support beam (5). The tyre support arms (6) are fastened to the support beam (5) with a notched or housing type joint and with removable fastening means (8) through the support beam (5) and tyre support arms (6).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a tyre shelf as defined in the preamble of claim 1 and an arrangement in a tyre storage as defined in the preamble of claim 12.

[0002] Various vehicle tyre storage systems and arrangements are known in the prior art. In many known systems, tyres are stored in the storage in a vertical position, i.e., in such a way that the tyres are next to each other and rest on their supporting structure with their wear surfaces. One known tyre storage solution such as mentioned above is presented in the US patent publication No. US2005230337A1. One problem with these kinds of systems is that stacking devices, like stackers which are used to handle the vertically positioned tyres are rather complicated and expensive. In addition, while being handled a tyre or tyres may easily fall down from their storage location as a result of an incorrect movement of the stacking device. This may cause damage and even injuries.

[0003] Another known way is to stack, for example, a set of four tyres horizontally on top of each other. This type of storage method may be easier to use and also to automate, as it is easier to place sets of tyres on horizontal tyre shelves with stacking devices and also easier to remove them from the horizontal tyre shelves. A known tyre shelf or support structure like this comprises one support beam, such as an RHS tube, and a group of support arms transverse to it, which support arms are fastened onto the support beam at a horizontal distance from each other. The support arms may also be RHS tubes. The support beam connects the vertical frame posts of the tyre rack together. At least two support arms are arranged to support one set of tyres, for example one set of four tyres. The problem in this solution is that the support arms are fastened onto the support beam either by welding or with threaded fastening means, for example with square bend U bolts.

[0004] Welded structures are usually strong enough, but the manufacturing of such structures is laborious with all the phases needed. In addition, such welded shelf structures are relatively bulky and awkward in shape, so handling and transporting them is difficult.

[0005] Whereas the support arms fixed crosswise by bolts and nuts or with square bend U bolts on the upper surface of the support beam form a shelf structure that may be weaker than the welded solution. For example, when the fork of a stacking device accidentally hits a support arm, it can turn the entyre support arm horizontally around its center point, causing the stacks of tyres resting on the support arm to fall from either side of the support beam.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages and to provide a simple, inexpensive, and easy to assemble, and at the same time a reliable tyre shelving structure for tyre storage systems. In addition, an object of the invention is to provide a well-functioning tyre shelving arrangement for tyre storage systems. The tyre shelf according to the present invention is characterized by what is presented in the characterization part of claim 1, and the arrangement in a tyre storage is characterized by what is presented in the characterization part of claim 12. Other embodiments of the invention are characterized by what is presented in the other claims.

[0007] An aspect of the invention is to provide a tyre shelf for storing several vehicle tyres, which tyre shelf comprises a support beam and a group of tyre support arms which are fastened transversely to the support beam. Advantageously, each tyre support arm comprises a recess, which extends from the lower surface of the tyre support arm towards the upper surface of the tyre support arm, and which recess has two end faces and a bottom between the end faces at a distance H from the lower surface, and that each end face comprises an essentially straight section which is arranged to meet the plane parallel to the lower surface at an oblique angle B.

[0008] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a tyre shelf of a tyre rack for storing several vehicle tyres, which tyre shelf comprises a metallic support beam and a set of metallic tyre support arms fastened transversely to the support beam. Advantageously, the tyre support arms are fastened to the support beam with a notched or housing type joint and with removable fastening means through the support beam and tyre support arms.

[0009] Yet another aspect of the invention is to provide an arrangement in a tyre storage, which arrangement comprises one or more tyre racks each comprising two pairs of vertical posts, braces, a group of tyre shelves one upon each other wherein each tyre shelf comprises a support beam and a group of tyre support arms fastened transversely onto the support beam. Advantageously, each tyre support arm comprises a recess, which extends from the lower surface of the tyre support arm towards the upper surface of the tyre support arm, and which recess has two end faces and a bottom between the end faces at a distance H from the lower surface, and that each end face comprises an essentially straight section which is arranged to meet the plane parallel to the lower surface at an oblique angle B.

[0010] Yet another aspect of the invention is to provide an arrangement in a tyre storage, which arrangement comprises one or more tyre racks each comprising two pairs of vertical posts, braces, a group of tyre shelves one upon each other wherein each tyre shelf comprises a support beam and a group of tyre support arms fastened transversely to the support beam. Advantageously, the arrangement comprises tyre shelves where tyre support arms are fastened to the support beam with a notched or housing type joint and with removable fastening means through the support beam and tyre support arms.

[0011] The solution of the invention has significant advantages over the solutions of the prior art. Among other things, one advantage of the solution of the invention is that all the components of the tyre racks can be transported as separate main parts. For instance, tyre shelves comprising a support beam and a group of support arms can be transported as separate parts and can be assembled into tyre shelves only at the installation site. This saves a lot of space during transportation and in general the handling of unfastened parts is much easier than assembled parts, for instance, welded tyre shelves. Another advantage is the fast and easy assembly of the tyre shelves and tyre racks. Yet another advantage is a clear and coherent whole-ness, which also enables low manufacturing costs. One important advantage is the safety of the solution. Thanks to the strong structure of the tyre shelves the tyre support arms stand most of the hits, for example by the stackers and the risk of falling tyres can be minimized.

[0012] In the following, the invention will be described in detail by the aid of examples by referring to the attached simplified and diagrammatic drawings, wherein Fig. 1presents in an oblique view a tyre rack according to the invention with tyre shelves separated from the vertical posts of the tyre rack, Fig. 2presents in an oblique view a tyre shelf according to the invention with one tyre support arm unfastened, Fig. 3presents a part of the tyre shelf according to Fig.2 enlarged, cross-sectioned along the line III-III and its support beam shortened in its height, Fig. 4presents in a side view and enlarged a joint section of a tyre support arm in the middle of the tyre support arm, and Fig. 5presents in a side view and further enlarged a part of the joint section of the tyre support arm.

[0013] When later in this context reference is made to the lower / bottom side, upper / top side, dimensions, surfaces of a component, or the like, these refer to the said sides, dimensions, surfaces or the like when the components in question are installed in place in their operating position.

[0014] Fig. 1 presents in an oblique view a tyre rack 1 according to the invention. The tyre rack 1 comprises advantageously a pair of vertical posts 2 connected to each other with horizontal tyre shelves 4. Each vertical post 2 may comprise two vertical pillars 2a connected to each other by horizontal spacers 3 spaced vertically apart. In Fig.1 the tyre shelves 4 are intentionally detached from the vertical posts 2 for clarity.

[0015] In the ready-to-use tyre rack 1, each tyre shelf 4 is fastened at both ends to the spacers 3 of the vertical posts 2 by means of a fastening mechanism 7. The fastening may be done with suitable fastening means, such as screws and nuts. The tyre rack 1 may comprise one or more tyre shelves 4 having a group of substantially horizontal tyre support arms 6 to carry the tyres.

[0016] Advantageously one tyre shelf 4 may carry, for instance three pairs of tyre sets each having four tyres, so that three sets stand on the first side of the tyre shelf 4 and three other sets stand on the second side of the tyre shelf 4 on the other side of the support beam 5 of the tyre shelf 4. In each tyre set the tyres lie horizontally on top of each other.

[0017] Fig. 2 presents in an oblique view a tyre shelf 4 according to the invention with one tyre support arm 6 unfastened. The tyre shelf 4 comprises an elongated support beam 5 that is preferably made of metal, such as steel. The cross-sectional shape of the support beam 5 may be, for instance, rectangular with rounded external corners, such as an RHS tube. Also, the tyre support arms 6 are elongated and are preferably made of metal, such as steel. The cross-sectional shape of the tyre support arms 6 may also be, for instance, rectangular with rounded external corners, such as an RHS tube. Advantageously, the support beam 5 and the tyre support arm 6 are rectangular tubes in cross-section with rounded corners and where the tubes have two side walls, as well as an upper wall and a lower wall that connect the side walls at their rounded corners.

[0018] The support beam 5 comprises in each end a fastening mechanism 7 to fasten the support beam 5 to the braces 3 of the vertical posts 2. The fastening mechanism 7 comprises a shaped fastening plate 7a and first fastening means 7b, such as bolts and nuts, with the help of which the fastening plate 7a is fastened to the end of the support beam 5 and also to the horizontal brace 3 of the vertical post 2.

[0019] The substantially horizontal shelf level of the tyre shelf 4 is formed by a group of tyre support arms 6, which are transversely fastened at their center to the upper part of the support beam 5 and at a horizontal distance from each other. The fastening is preferably made by second fastening means 8 which each comprises a tightening bolt 8a, a tightening nut 8b and a support plate 8c to be placed between the bolt first end and the upper surface 6b of the tyre support arm 6. The support beam 5 has a fastening hole 5a made through the beam, for the tightening bolt 8a.

[0020] Advantageously one tyre shelf 4 comprises nine tyre support arms 6 three arms in one group for each set of tyres. In this way one tyre shelf 4 may carry altogether six sets of tyres, three sets of tyres on its each side, and four pieces of tyres in each set. The lengths of the support beam 5 and numbers of tyre support arms 6 may vary, so the number of tyre sets to be carried by one tyre shelf 4 may also vary.

[0021] Figs. 3-5 present the joint section area of the tyre support arm 6. In Fig. 3 the support beam 5 is connected to a tyre support arm 6 and Figs. 4 and 5 presents enlarged side views of the joint section area in the lower part of the tyre support arm 6.

[0022] Figs. 3 presents a part of the tyre shelf 4 according to Fig.2 enlarged, cross-sectioned along the line III-III of Fig. 2 and also shortened in its height. It is important to note that the lower surface 6a of the tyre support arm 6 is not attached onto the upper surface of the support beam 5, but that the lower part of the tyre support arm 6 has an upwardly extending recess 9 with such a depth H that the recess 9 can be located onto the upper part of the support beam 5 so that the upper part of the support beam 5 is located inside the recess 9.

[0023] When the tyre support arm 6 has two side walls, as for example with an RHS tube, the recess 9 is similar and at the same location in both side walls. When referring to recess 9, in this context the recess in both side walls is meant. The length of the recess 9 in the longitudinal direction of the tyre support arm 6 is marked with the reference L. The length L of the recess 9 varies and is at its maximum at the mouth of the recess 9 at the plane of the lower surface 6a of the tyre support arm 6, as is explained later in this context.

[0024] Preferably, the recess 9 is longitudinally in the center of the tyre support arm 6 and its length L in relation to the width of the support beam 5 is such that the tyre support arm 6 can be fitted substantially snugly or tightly onto the upper part of the support beam 5 and thereafter can be tightened immovably in its place with the help of second fastening means 8. In one advantageous solution the length L at the plane of the lower surface 6a is 0,5 mm greater than the width of the support beam 5. In practice the length L at the plane of the lower surface 6a may be between 0,2 to 1,0 mm greater than the width of the support beam 5.

[0025] The corner radius R 2 of the inner corners of recess 9 is preferably smaller than the corner radius R 1 of the external corners of the support beam 5. In this case, the upper surface of the support beam 5 can be placed firmly against the bottom 9a of the recess 9, as explained later in the description

[0026] Figs. 4 and 5 present in a side view and enlarged a joint section of the tyre support arm 6 with the downwards opening recess 9 which together with the second fastening means 8 forms a joint Nj, which is a type of a notched joint or a housing joint. In Fig. 5 only one end face 9b of recess 9 is shown further enlarged. In the joint section a similar recess 9 is cut on both the side walls of the tyre support arm 6 at the lower side, which is arranged to be placed towards the support beam 5. A part of the lower wall of the tyre support arm 6 has also been cut away at the location of the recess 9.

[0027] The depth H of the recess 9 from the lower surface 6a of the tyre support arm 6 to the bottom 9a of the notch is preferably greater than the corner radius R 1 of the external corner of the support beam 5. In this case, at least a part of the straight side surfaces of the support beam 5 are towards the straight sections 9c of the ends faces of the recess 9, when the tyre support arm 6 is pressed on top of the support beam 5 up to the bottom 9a of the recess 9.

[0028] The depth H of the recess 9 is advantageously between 1 / 4 and 3 / 4 of the height of the tyre support arm 6, preferably ≤ 1 / 2 of the height of the tyre support arm 6. The height of the tyre support arm 6 here means the distance from the lower surface 6a of the tyre support arm 6 to the upper surface 6b of the tyre support arm 6.

[0029] Advantageously, the straight sections 9c of the end faces 9b of the recess 9 are not perpendicular to the lower surface 6a of the tyre support arm 6 but they are in an inclined position such that the angle A between the straight section 9c and the lower surface 6a of the tyre support arm 6 is greater than 90 degrees (90°). The same applies to angle A between the bottom 9a of the recess 9 and the lower surface 6a of the tyre support arm 6 because the bottom 9a is parallel with the lower surface 6a.

[0030] In this case, the length L of the recess 9 in both side walls of the tyre support arm 6 increases symmetrically at both end faces 9b of the recess 9 towards the lower surface 6a of the tyre support arm 6. In other words, the recess 9 comprises outwardly inclined straight sections 9c at its both end faces 9b.

[0031] Angle B, which is equal to angle A-90°, indicates how much greater than 90° angle A is. Angle B is the angle of inclination of the straight section 9c with respect to the plane perpendicular to the lower surface 6a of the tyre support arm 6. Advantageously, angle B is between 1° and 3°, preferably between 1,4° and 2,5°, most suitably about 2,2°.

[0032] The distance of the first end of the straight section 9c from the lower surface 6a is indicated with a letter (h) at which distance the first end of the straight section 9c meets the corner of the recess 9 and extends in an inclined position towards the lower surface 6a of the tyre support arm 6 until the second end of the straight section 9c meets the lower surface 6a. In case the corner of the recess 9 is rounded the first end of the straight section 9c is arranged to meet the rounded corner. The meeting point of the first end of the straight section 9c and the corner of the recess 9 is indicated in the figures with a reference Mp.

[0033] In the solution according to the embodiment of Figs. 3-5, distance (h) is equal to distance (H), from which the length of the corner radius R 2 has been subtracted, i.e., distance h=H-R2.

[0034] The first end of the straight section 9c can be further from the lower surface 6a of the tyre support arm 6 or closer to the lower surface 6a of the tyre support arm 6 than described in the example solution of Figs. 4 and 5. In those cases (h) is either greater than H-R 2 , or smaller than H-R 2 , and the first end of the straight section meets the rounded corner or its extension at a different point than in the example shown.

[0035] In an extreme case, the length of the corner radius R 2 =0, in which case the straight section 9c starts directly from the bottom of the recess 9a. In that case h=H.

[0036] In the case where the distance (h) is smaller than H-R 2 , a straight extension at the end face 9b extends from the rounded corner perpendicularly towards the lower surface 6a of the tyre support arm 6 until it meets the first end of the inclined straight section 9c. In that case h<H-R 2 , and the first end of the straight section 9c does not meet the rounded corner at all but its straight extension which may be perpendicular to the lower surface 6a of the tyre support arm 6.

[0037] In all three latter cases mentioned above, the inclination angle B can be different than in the example case according to Fig. 3-5.

[0038] Advantageously, the shape and dimensions of the recess 9 in relation to the cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the support beam 5 are such that when placed in its place, the tyre support arm 6 remains firmly in place even without tightening and is compressed even more firmly in place when it is tightened with the second fastening means 8. Here the shape of the recess 9 means preferably the shape and dimensions of the rounded corners R 2 and the shape, location and dimensions of the straight sections 9c at the end faces 9b of the recess 9.

[0039] The dimensions of the recess 9 are extremely precise, made, for instance with a precision laser. In that case the length L of the recess 9 at the height (h) from the lower surface 6a of the tyre support arm 6 is equal to or only a very small gap larger than the width of the support beam 5. The size of the gap is less than 0,5 mm. The dimensions are such that the tyre support arm 6 can be snug-fitted onto the support beam 5.

[0040] Preferably, the shape and dimensions of the cross-section of the support beam 5 and the shape and dimensions of the recess 9 are such that the tyre support arm 6 can easily be placed on top of the support beam 5 so that the top surface of the support beam 5 hits the bottom 9a of the recess 9 and rests against said bottom.

[0041] The corner radius R 1 of the external corners of the support beam 5 is greater than the corner radius R 2 of the corners of the recess 9, in which case the straight side walls of the support beam 5 are closest to the end faces 9b of the recess 9 only at the area of inclined straight sections 9c of the ends faces 9b below the meeting point Mp.

[0042] When the tyre support arm 6 is now tightened in its place with the help of the fastening means 8, the tightening force bends the tyre support arm 6 downwards so much that the inclined straight sections 9c hit at its closest point the side walls of the support beam 5. When the tightening is continued, a fulcrum is formed at the point of contact, around which the tyre support arm 6 rotates slightly so that the angle B between the straight side wall of the support beam 5 and straight section 9c of the end face 9b of the recess 9 decreases.

[0043] Due to the shape and dimensions of the recess 9, the distance of the contact point or the fulcrum from the lower surface 6a of the tyre support arm 6 is smaller than the distance (h) of the aforementioned meeting point Mp from the lower surface 6a of the tyre support arm 6. This means that the contact point or the fulcrum is arranged into the area of the inclined straight section 9c of each end face 9b.

[0044] The formation of the fulcrum caused by the tightening and the decreasing of the angle B is further facilitated by the use of a substantially long support plate 8c between the head of the tightening bolt 8a and the upper surface of the support beam 5. Preferably, the length of the support plate 8c is equal to or greater than the length L of the recess 9 in the lower surface 6a of the tyre support arm 6.

[0045] If, even after tightening, the angle B between the straight side wall of the support beam 5 and the straight sections 9c of the end faces 9b of the recess 9 is greater than zero, the tyres placed on the tyre support arms 6 together form such a load which may finally decrease the angle B to zero. In other words, the load on the tyre shelf 4 may press the lower ends of the straight sections 9c against the side walls of the support beam 5. In this case, the tyre support arms 6 stay very firmly in their place.

[0046] It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to the examples described above but that it may be varied within the scope of the claims presented below. Thus, for example, the structures and components of the tyre shelf may be different from what is presented. For instance, instead of RHS or SHS tube the support beam and / or the tyre support arm may be a flat-bottomed U-beam with the bottom facing upwards.

[0047] It is also obvious to the person skilled in the art that the cross-section of the support beam and / or the tyre support arm may be formed of a plate of metal or other material suitable for the purpose by bending the plate into a wanted cross-sectional shape.

[0048] It is yet obvious to the person skilled in the art that the tyre rack can be equipped with wheels at the bottom of the rack to move the tyre rack horizontally, either along rails or without rails. The wheels may be separate wheels in each vertical posts or the tyre rack may comprise one or more transfer carriages with a group of wheels.

[0049] It is yet obvious to the person skilled in the art that the length of the support beam of the tyre shelf may vary. Depending on the strength and length of the support beam, the tyre shelf may comprise almost any number of tyre sets on one tyre shelf in the longitudinal direction of the support beam, for example 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 pieces of tyre sets, and even more.

[0050] It is yet obvious to the person skilled in the art that the notch in the tyre support arm does not necessarily have to be in the center of the tyre support arm but can be closer to the other end. In this case, the tyre shelf is asymmetrical with respect to the position of the support beam. Such a structure may be the case when the tyre rack needs to be placed, for example, very close to the wall of a storage room.

[0051] It is yet obvious to the person skilled in the art that instead of three tyre support arms for each set of tyres only two tyre support arms for each set may be enough, particularly if the tyre support arms are strengthened.

Claims

1. A tyre shelf for storing several vehicle tyres, which tyre shelf (4) comprises a support beam (5) and a group of tyre support arms (6) which are fastened transversely to the support beam (5), characterized in that each tyre support arm (6) comprises a recess (9), which extends from the lower surface (6a) of the tyre support arm (6) towards the upper surface (6b) of the tyre support arm (6), and which recess (9) has two end faces (9b) and a bottom (9a) between the end faces (9b) at a distance (H) from the lower surface (6a), and that each end face (9b) comprises an essentially straight section (9c) which is arranged to meet the plane parallel to the lower surface (6a) at an oblique angle (B).

2. A tyre shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that each tyre support arm (6) is fastened to the support beam (5) with a joint (Nj) and with removable fastening means (8) through the support beam (5) and tyre support arm (6).

3. A tyre shelf according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the length (L) of the recess (9) in both side walls of the tyre support arm (6) increases symmetrically at both end faces (9b) of the recess (9) towards the lower surface (6a) of the tyre support arm (6).

4. A tyre shelf according to claim 3, characterized in that at each end face (9b) of the recess (9) the straight sections (9c) are inclined outward at an angle (B) which is the angle of inclination of the straight section (9c) with respect to the plane perpendicular to the lower surface (6a) of the tyre support arm (6).

5. A tyre shelf according to claim 4, characterized in that the angle (B) is between 1° and 3°, preferably between 1,4° and 2,5°.

6. A tyre shelf according to claim 5, characterized in that the length (L) of the recess (9) at the plane of the lower surface (6a) of the tyre support arm (6) is between 0,2 to 1,0 mm greater than the width of the support beam (5), advantageously 0,5 mm greater than the width of the support beam (5).

7. A tyre shelf according to any of claims 1-6 above, characterized in that the first end of the straight section (9c) is arranged to meet the corner of the recess (9) at a distance (h) from the lower surface (6a) of the tyre support arm (6), which distance (h) is smaller than or equal to the depth (H) of the recess (9).

8. A tyre shelf according to any of claims 1-7 above, characterized in that the recess (9) comprises rounded corners with corner radius R2 between the bottom (9a) of the recess (9) and the straight sections (9c) of the recess (9).

9. A tyre shelf according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the length of the distance (h) is one of the following: h=H-R2, h>H-R2, h<H-R2.

10. A tyre shelf according to any of claims 1-9 above, characterized in that tightening with fastening means (8) is arranged to change the shape of the recess (9) so that after tightening at least a part of the end faces (9b) of the recess (9) are tightly pressed against the side walls of the support beam (5).

11. A tyre shelf according to claim 10, characterized in that caused by tightening of the tyre support arm (6) with the tightening means (8) a fulcrum is arranged to be formed at a contact point between the straight sections (9c) of the recess (9) and the side walls of the support beam (5) around which fulcrum the tyre support arm (6) is arranged to bend so that the angle (B) decreases between the straight side wall of the support beam (5) and straight section (9c) of the recess (9).

12. Arrangement in a tyre storage, which arrangement comprises one or more tyre racks (1) each comprising two pairs of vertical posts (2), braces (3), a group of tyre shelves (4) one upon each other wherein each tyre shelf (4) comprises a support beam (5) and a group of tyre support arms (6) fastened transversely onto the support beam (5), characterized in that each tyre support arm (6) comprises a recess (9), which extends from the lower surface (6a) of the tyre support arm (6) towards the upper surface (6b) of the tyre support arm (6), and which recess (9) has two end faces (9b) and a bottom (9a) between the end faces (9b) at a distance (H) from the lower surface (6a), and that each end face (9b) comprises an essentially straight section (9c) which is arranged to meet the plane parallel to the lower surface (6a) at an oblique angle (B).

13. Arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that the arrangement comprises tyre shelves (4) where tyre support arms (6) are fastened to the support beam (5) with a notched or housing type joint (Nj) and with removable fastening means (8) through the support beam (5) and tyre support arms (6).

14. Arrangement according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the first end of the straight section (9c) is arranged to meet the corner of the recess (9) in a meeting point (Mp) at a distance (h) from the lower surface (6a) of the tyre support arm (6), and that due to the shape and dimensions of the recess (9) a fulcrum is arranged to be formed at a contact point between the straight sections (9c) of the recess (9) and the side walls of the support beam (5), and that the distance of the fulcrum from the lower surface (6a) of the tyre support arm (6) is smaller than the distance (h) from the lower surface (6a) of the tyre support arm (6).

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