Self-centering pallet

Abstract

A self-centering pallet has an upper guide plate (2) provided with at least three guide slots (5) distributed around a longitudinal axis (4) of the upper guide plate (2) itself; a movable retaining rod (8) slidingly engaged in each guide slot (5); and, for each movable retaining rod (8), a respective pair of fixed retaining rods (9), which are mounted along the periphery of the upper guide plate (2), and define, together with the respective movable retaining rod (8), a retaining pocket (10) configured to receive and accommodate at least one product (11).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102024000016927 filed on July 22, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL SECTOR OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a self-centering pallet.

[0003] In particular, the present invention relates to a self-centering pallet for supporting, transporting and organising articles having a lateral surface with a circular section.STATE OF THE ART

[0004] Some self-centering pallets of the type comprising a lower support plate and an upper guide plate that are substantially horizontal and parallel to each other are known, wherein the upper guide plate is provided with at least three guide slots, which are uniformly distributed around a substantially vertical longitudinal axis of the upper guide plate, and have a curvilinear shape.

[0005] The self-centering pallet further comprises a plurality of cranks, which are equal in number to the number of the guide slots, are uniformly distributed around the longitudinal axis of the upper guide plate, and are hinged to the lower support plate for rotating around respective fulcrum axes parallel to the longitudinal axis itself.

[0006] Each crank supports, at a free end thereof, a retaining rod, which extends upwards from the crank parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upper guide plate, and slidingly engages a respective guide slot.

[0007] The self-centering pallet further comprises an intermediate drive plate mounted between the cranks and the upper guide plate for rotating, with respect to the upper guide plate and the lower support plate, about the longitudinal axis of the upper guide plate.

[0008] The intermediate drive plate has a plurality of further guide slots, which are equal in number to the number of the retaining rods, and are uniformly distributed around the longitudinal axis of the upper guide plate.

[0009] Each additional guide slot has a rectilinear shape, and is slidingly engaged by a respective retaining rod.

[0010] In use, the displacement of at least one crank around the relative fulcrum axis and of the relative retaining rod along the relative guide slot of the upper guide plate involves the rotation of the intermediate drive plate around the aforementioned longitudinal axis and the advancement of the remaining retaining rods along the relative guide slots of the upper guide plate.

[0011] The retaining rods are displaced in unison with each other along the relative guide slots so as to define a retaining pocket with variable diameter which is configured to receive and correctly position on the upper guide plate at least one product, normally a stack of products superimposed on each other, having a circular coupling surface with the retaining rods themselves.

[0012] The retaining rods are arranged outside the products when the coupling surface of the products is an outer surface of the products themselves, and extend into, and through the products when the coupling surface of the products is an inner surface of the products themselves.

[0013] Generally, the self-centering pallet is mounted on an advancement conveyor, for example a belt conveyor or a rotating drum, configured to support a plurality of self-centering pallets and displace them through a picking station so as to allow a transfer robot to pick up each product in the picking station itself.

[0014] The known self-centering pallets of the type described above have some drawbacks mainly due to the fact that the presence of a single retaining pocket gives the self-centering pallet a relatively small storage capacity.OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Aim of the present invention is to realise a self-centering pallet that is free of the drawbacks described above and that is simple and economical to implement.

[0016] According to the present invention, a self-centering pallet is realised, as claimed in the appended claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, which show a nonlimiting embodiment thereof, wherein: Figures 1 and 2 are two schematic perspective views, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of a preferred embodiment of the self-centring pallet of the present invention shown in two different operating positions; Figure 3 is a schematic plan view, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of the self-centering pallet of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a schematic side view, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of the self-centering pallet of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of a detail of the self-centering pallet of Figures 1 and 2; Figures 6, 7, and 8 are three schematic plan views, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of the detail of Figure 5 shown in three different operating modes; Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of a detail of Figure 5; and Figure 10 is a schematic plan view, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of the detail of Figure 9. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0018] With reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3, 1 denotes, as a whole, a self-centering pallet comprising an upper guide plate 2 and a lower support plate 3 that are substantially horizontal and parallel to each other.

[0019] The same reference numbers and letters in the figures identify the same elements or components with the same function.

[0020] In the context of the present description, the term "second" component does not imply the presence of a "first" component. These terms are in fact used as labels to improve clarity and should not be understood in a limiting way.

[0021] The elements and features shown in the various preferred embodiments, including the drawings, may be combined with each other without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present application as described below.

[0022] The plate 2 has a longitudinal axis 4 that is substantially vertical and perpendicular to the plates 2 and 3, and is provided with at least three guide slots 5, which are uniformly distributed around the axis 4, are obtained through the plate 2 parallel to the axis 4, and have a curvilinear shape, in particular the shape of a circular sector, with centers of curvature distributed along a circumference coaxial to the axis 4 itself.

[0023] According to what is shown in Figures 4, 9, and 10, the plate 3 supports a plurality of cranks 6, which are equal in number to the number of slots 5, extend between the plates 2 and 3, and are hinged to the plate 3 for rotating, with respect to the plate 3 itself, around respective fulcrum axes 7 parallel to each other and to the axis 4.

[0024] The axes 7 are uniformly distributed around the axis 4, in particular along a circumference coaxial to the axis 4 itself.

[0025] Each crank 6 supports a movable retaining rod 8, which extends upwards from the crank 6 parallel to the axes 4 and 7, slidingly engages a relative slot 5, and protrudes upwards from the plate 2.

[0026] The self-centering pallet 1 further comprises, for each rod 8, a respective pair of fixed retaining rods 9, which are distributed on the periphery of the plates 2 and 3, extend through the plate 2 parallel to the axis 4, and are connected, in particular screwed, in the plate 3.

[0027] Each rod 8 and the relative pair of rods 9 define a retaining pocket 10 configured to receive at least one product 11, in particular a stack of products 11 superimposed on each other, having a circular coupling surface 12.

[0028] In the case shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8, the coupling surface 12 is an outer surface of the products 11 and the rods 8 and 9 of the pockets 10 are arranged outside the products 11 themselves.

[0029] According to a variant not shown, the coupling surface 12 is an inner surface of the products 11 and the rods 8 and 9 of the pockets 10 are arranged inside the products 11 and extend through the products 11 themselves.

[0030] Each slot 5 also has an inner free end 13 facing the axis 4 and an outer free end 14 disposed between the rods 9 of the relative pocket 10.

[0031] The plate 2 has, for each pocket 10, three respective passage holes 15 for the relative rods 9, and the plate 3 has, for each pocket 10, three respective seats 16 for the connection of the relative rods 9 with the plate 3 itself.

[0032] At least one rod 9 of each pocket 10, in this case both rods 9 of each pocket 10, is releasably connected to the plate 3 so as to be selectively mounted through the relative holes 15 and the relative seats 16 as a function of a diameter of the coupling surface 12 of the relative products 11 (Figures 6, 7, and 8).

[0033] The self-centering pallet 1 further comprises an intermediate drive plate 17, which extends between the plate 2 and the cranks 6, and is rotatably coupled to the plates 2 and 3 for rotating, with respect to the plates 2 and 3 themselves and in a manner that will be better shown below, around the axis 4.

[0034] The plate 17 is a lobe plate comprising a plurality of end-stop lobes 18, which are equal in number to the number of pockets 10, protrude outwardly from the plate 17, and each extend between the rods 9 of two adjacent pockets 10.

[0035] Following rotation of the plate 17 about the axis 4, each lobe 18 is configured to come into contact with the rods 9 of each adjacent pocket 10.

[0036] The plate 17 is provided with a plurality of guide slots 19, which are equal in number to the number of slots 5 and rods 8, and are uniformly distributed around the axis 4.

[0037] Each slot 19 has a rectilinear shape, does not extend through the axis 4, and is slidingly engaged by a relative rod 8.

[0038] In use, the manual displacement of a rod 8 along the relative slot 5 by the personnel in charge allows the plate 17 to: rotate around axis 4; advance the remaining rods 8 along the relative slots 5; and displace in unison the rods 8 in contact with the relative products 11.

[0039] According to a variant not shown, the plate 17 is displaced around the axis 4 by means of a drive motor so as to advance in unison the rods 8 along the relative slots 5 and in contact with the relative products 11.

[0040] According to a further variant not shown, the plate 17 is eliminated and each crank 6 is displaced around the relative fulcrum axis 7 independently of the other cranks 6, for example through a relative drive motor, so as to selectively control the diameter of the pockets 10 and to house inside the pockets 10 products 11 with coupling surfaces 12 having different diameters.

[0041] With regard to what is set forth above, it should be specified that: the self-centering pallet 1 is generally mounted on an advancement conveyor (not shown), for example a belt conveyor or a rotating drum, configured to support a plurality of self-centering pallets 1 and displace them through a picking station (not shown) so as to allow a transfer robot (not shown) to pick up each product 11 in the picking station (not shown) itself; and the advancement conveyor (not shown) is provided, for each self-centering pallet 1, with a respective rotating platform configured to rotate the self-centering pallet 1 and advance each retaining pocket 10 through the picking station (not shown) so as to allow the transfer robot (not shown) to pick up all the products 11 disposed on each self-centering pallet 1 in a single picking station (not shown) .

[0042] Although the invention described above makes particular reference to a very precise example of implementation, it is not to be considered limited to this example of implementation, falling within its scope all those variants, modifications or simplifications covered by the appended claims, such as for example a different number of movable rods (and therefore a different number of fixed rods), or a different centering mechanism.

[0043] The self-centering pallet 1 has some advantages mainly deriving from the fact that the presence of the retaining pockets 10 gives the self-centering pallet 1 a relatively high storage capacity.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0018]With reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3, 1 denotes, as a whole, a self-centering pallet comprising an upper guide plate 2 and a lower support plate 3 that are substantially horizontal and parallel to each other.

[0019]The same reference numbers and letters in the figures identify the same elements or components with the same function.

[0020]In the context of the present description, the term "second" component does not imply the presence of a "first" component. These terms are in fact used as labels to improve clarity and should not be understood in a limiting way.

[0021]The elements and features shown in the various preferred embodiments, including the drawings, may be combined with each other without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present application as described below.

[0022]The plate 2 has a longitudinal axis 4 that is substantially vertical and perpendicular to the plates 2 and 3, and is provided with at least three guide slots 5, which are uniformly dist...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102024000016927 filed on July 22, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL SECTOR OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a self-centering pallet.

[0003] In particular, the present invention relates to a self-centering pallet for supporting, transporting and organising articles having a lateral surface with a circular section.STATE OF THE ART

[0004] Some self-centering pallets of the type comprising a lower support plate and an upper guide plate that are substantially horizontal and parallel to each other are known, wherein the upper guide plate is provided with at least three guide slots, which are uniformly distributed around a substantially vertical longitudinal axis of the upper guide plate, and have a curvilinear shape.

[0005] The self-centering pallet further comprises a plurality of cranks, which are equal in number to the number of the guide slots, are uniformly distributed around the longitudinal axis of the upper guide plate, and are hinged to the lower support plate for rotating around respective fulcrum axes parallel to the longitudinal axis itself.

[0006] Each crank supports, at a free end thereof, a retaining rod, which extends upwards from the crank parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upper guide plate, and slidingly engages a respective guide slot.

[0007] The self-centering pallet further comprises an intermediate drive plate mounted between the cranks and the upper guide plate for rotating, with respect to the upper guide plate and the lower support plate, about the longitudinal axis of the upper guide plate.

[0008] The intermediate drive plate has a plurality of further guide slots, which are equal in number to the number of the retaining rods, and are uniformly distributed around the longitudinal axis of the upper guide plate.

[0009] Each additional guide slot has a rectilinear shape, and is slidingly engaged by a respective retaining rod.

[0010] In use, the displacement of at least one crank around the relative fulcrum axis and of the relative retaining rod along the relative guide slot of the upper guide plate involves the rotation of the intermediate drive plate around the aforementioned longitudinal axis and the advancement of the remaining retaining rods along the relative guide slots of the upper guide plate.

[0011] The retaining rods are displaced in unison with each other along the relative guide slots so as to define a retaining pocket with variable diameter which is configured to receive and correctly position on the upper guide plate at least one product, normally a stack of products superimposed on each other, having a circular coupling surface with the retaining rods themselves.

[0012] The retaining rods are arranged outside the products when the coupling surface of the products is an outer surface of the products themselves, and extend into, and through the products when the coupling surface of the products is an inner surface of the products themselves.

[0013] Generally, the self-centering pallet is mounted on an advancement conveyor, for example a belt conveyor or a rotating drum, configured to support a plurality of self-centering pallets and displace them through a picking station so as to allow a transfer robot to pick up each product in the picking station itself.

[0014] The known self-centering pallets of the type described above have some drawbacks mainly due to the fact that the presence of a single retaining pocket gives the self-centering pallet a relatively small storage capacity.OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Aim of the present invention is to realise a self-centering pallet that is free of the drawbacks described above and that is simple and economical to implement.

[0016] According to the present invention, a self-centering pallet is realised, as claimed in the appended claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, which show a nonlimiting embodiment thereof, wherein: Figures 1 and 2 are two schematic perspective views, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of a preferred embodiment of the self-centring pallet of the present invention shown in two different operating positions; Figure 3 is a schematic plan view, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of the self-centering pallet of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a schematic side view, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of the self-centering pallet of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of a detail of the self-centering pallet of Figures 1 and 2; Figures 6, 7, and 8 are three schematic plan views, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of the detail of Figure 5 shown in three different operating modes; Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of a detail of Figure 5; and Figure 10 is a schematic plan view, with parts removed for the sake of clarity, of the detail of Figure 9. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0018] With reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3, 1 denotes, as a whole, a self-centering pallet comprising an upper guide plate 2 and a lower support plate 3 that are substantially horizontal and parallel to each other.

[0019] The same reference numbers and letters in the figures identify the same elements or components with the same function.

[0020] In the context of the present description, the term "second" component does not imply the presence of a "first" component. These terms are in fact used as labels to improve clarity and should not be understood in a limiting way.

[0021] The elements and features shown in the various preferred embodiments, including the drawings, may be combined with each other without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present application as described below.

[0022] The plate 2 has a longitudinal axis 4 that is substantially vertical and perpendicular to the plates 2 and 3, and is provided with at least three guide slots 5, which are uniformly distributed around the axis 4, are obtained through the plate 2 parallel to the axis 4, and have a curvilinear shape, in particular the shape of a circular sector, with centers of curvature distributed along a circumference coaxial to the axis 4 itself.

[0023] According to what is shown in Figures 4, 9, and 10, the plate 3 supports a plurality of cranks 6, which are equal in number to the number of slots 5, extend between the plates 2 and 3, and are hinged to the plate 3 for rotating, with respect to the plate 3 itself, around respective fulcrum axes 7 parallel to each other and to the axis 4.

[0024] The axes 7 are uniformly distributed around the axis 4, in particular along a circumference coaxial to the axis 4 itself.

[0025] Each crank 6 supports a movable retaining rod 8, which extends upwards from the crank 6 parallel to the axes 4 and 7, slidingly engages a relative slot 5, and protrudes upwards from the plate 2.

[0026] The self-centering pallet 1 further comprises, for each rod 8, a respective pair of fixed retaining rods 9, which are distributed on the periphery of the plates 2 and 3, extend through the plate 2 parallel to the axis 4, and are connected, in particular screwed, in the plate 3.

[0027] Each rod 8 and the relative pair of rods 9 define a retaining pocket 10 configured to receive at least one product 11, in particular a stack of products 11 superimposed on each other, having a circular coupling surface 12.

[0028] In the case shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8, the coupling surface 12 is an outer surface of the products 11 and the rods 8 and 9 of the pockets 10 are arranged outside the products 11 themselves.

[0029] According to a variant not shown, the coupling surface 12 is an inner surface of the products 11 and the rods 8 and 9 of the pockets 10 are arranged inside the products 11 and extend through the products 11 themselves.

[0030] Each slot 5 also has an inner free end 13 facing the axis 4 and an outer free end 14 disposed between the rods 9 of the relative pocket 10.

[0031] The plate 2 has, for each pocket 10, three respective passage holes 15 for the relative rods 9, and the plate 3 has, for each pocket 10, three respective seats 16 for the connection of the relative rods 9 with the plate 3 itself.

[0032] At least one rod 9 of each pocket 10, in this case both rods 9 of each pocket 10, is releasably connected to the plate 3 so as to be selectively mounted through the relative holes 15 and the relative seats 16 as a function of a diameter of the coupling surface 12 of the relative products 11 (Figures 6, 7, and 8).

[0033] The self-centering pallet 1 further comprises an intermediate drive plate 17, which extends between the plate 2 and the cranks 6, and is rotatably coupled to the plates 2 and 3 for rotating, with respect to the plates 2 and 3 themselves and in a manner that will be better shown below, around the axis 4.

[0034] The plate 17 is a lobe plate comprising a plurality of end-stop lobes 18, which are equal in number to the number of pockets 10, protrude outwardly from the plate 17, and each extend between the rods 9 of two adjacent pockets 10.

[0035] Following rotation of the plate 17 about the axis 4, each lobe 18 is configured to come into contact with the rods 9 of each adjacent pocket 10.

[0036] The plate 17 is provided with a plurality of guide slots 19, which are equal in number to the number of slots 5 and rods 8, and are uniformly distributed around the axis 4.

[0037] Each slot 19 has a rectilinear shape, does not extend through the axis 4, and is slidingly engaged by a relative rod 8.

[0038] In use, the manual displacement of a rod 8 along the relative slot 5 by the personnel in charge allows the plate 17 to: rotate around axis 4; advance the remaining rods 8 along the relative slots 5; and displace in unison the rods 8 in contact with the relative products 11.

[0039] According to a variant not shown, the plate 17 is displaced around the axis 4 by means of a drive motor so as to advance in unison the rods 8 along the relative slots 5 and in contact with the relative products 11.

[0040] According to a further variant not shown, the plate 17 is eliminated and each crank 6 is displaced around the relative fulcrum axis 7 independently of the other cranks 6, for example through a relative drive motor, so as to selectively control the diameter of the pockets 10 and to house inside the pockets 10 products 11 with coupling surfaces 12 having different diameters.

[0041] With regard to what is set forth above, it should be specified that: the self-centering pallet 1 is generally mounted on an advancement conveyor (not shown), for example a belt conveyor or a rotating drum, configured to support a plurality of self-centering pallets 1 and displace them through a picking station (not shown) so as to allow a transfer robot (not shown) to pick up each product 11 in the picking station (not shown) itself; and the advancement conveyor (not shown) is provided, for each self-centering pallet 1, with a respective rotating platform configured to rotate the self-centering pallet 1 and advance each retaining pocket 10 through the picking station (not shown) so as to allow the transfer robot (not shown) to pick up all the products 11 disposed on each self-centering pallet 1 in a single picking station (not shown) .

[0042] Although the invention described above makes particular reference to a very precise example of implementation, it is not to be considered limited to this example of implementation, falling within its scope all those variants, modifications or simplifications covered by the appended claims, such as for example a different number of movable rods (and therefore a different number of fixed rods), or a different centering mechanism.

[0043] The self-centering pallet 1 has some advantages mainly deriving from the fact that the presence of the retaining pockets 10 gives the self-centering pallet 1 a relatively high storage capacity.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0018]With reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3, 1 denotes, as a whole, a self-centering pallet comprising an upper guide plate 2 and a lower support plate 3 that are substantially horizontal and parallel to each other.

[0019]The same reference numbers and letters in the figures identify the same elements or components with the same function.

[0020]In the context of the present description, the term "second" component does not imply the presence of a "first" component. These terms are in fact used as labels to improve clarity and should not be understood in a limiting way.

[0021]The elements and features shown in the various preferred embodiments, including the drawings, may be combined with each other without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present application as described below.

[0022]The plate 2 has a longitudinal axis 4 that is substantially vertical and perpendicular to the plates 2 and 3, and is provided with at least three guide slots 5, which are uniformly dist...

Claims

1. A self-centering pallet comprising an upper guide plate (2) provided with at least three guide slots (5) distributed around a longitudinal axis (4) of the upper guide plate (2) perpendicular to the upper guide plate (2) itself; and at least three movable retaining rods (8), each of which slidingly engaged in each guide slot (5) and parallel to said longitudinal axis (4); The self-centering pallet being characterized by further comprising, for each movable retaining rod (8), a respective pair of fixed retaining rods (9), which are mounted along the periphery of the upper guide plate (2), and define, together with the respective movable retaining rod (8), a retaining pocket (10) configured to receive and accommodate at least one product (11), in particular a product (11) having a circular coupling surface (12) with the retaining pocket (10) itself.

2. The self-centering pallet according to claim 1, wherein the upper guide plate (2) has, for each retaining pocket (10), at least three respective passage holes (15) configured to receive the corresponding fixed retaining rods (9); at least one fixed retaining rod (9) of each retaining pocket (10) being selectively releasably mountable through two passage holes (15) of the upper guide plate (2) according to the product format (11).

3. The self-centering pallet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each guide slot (5) has a curvilinear shape, in particular the shape of a circular sector, and has, in addition, an inner free end (13) facing said longitudinal axis (4) and an outer free end (14) disposed between said fixed retaining rods (9).

4. The self-centering pallet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable retaining rods (8) are movable independently of each other along the relative guide slots (5).

5. The self-centering pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the movable retaining rods (8) are movable in unison with each other along the relative guide slots (5).

6. The self-centering pallet according to any one of the preceding claims and further comprising a lower support plate (3); the fixed retaining rods (9) extending through the upper guide plate (2) and being axially locked on the lower support plate (3).

7. The self-centering pallet according to claim 6 and comprising, for each movable retaining rod (8), a respective crank (6) hinged to the lower support plate (3) to rotate about a fulcrum axis (7) parallel to said longitudinal axis (4); each movable retaining rod (8) extending upwardly from the respective crank (6).

8. The self-centering pallet according to claim 7, wherein the fulcrum axes (7) of the cranks (6) are uniformly distributed around said longitudinal axis (4).

9. The self-centering pallet according to any one of the preceding claims and further comprising an intermediate drive plate (17) mounted below the upper guide plate (2) for rotating about said longitudinal axis (4).

10. The self-centering pallet according to claim 9, wherein the intermediate drive plate (17) is provided, for each movable retaining rod (8), with a respective additional guide slot (19) engaged slidingly by the movable retaining rod (8) itself.

11. The self-centering pallet according to claim 10, wherein each additional guide slot (19) has a rectilinear shape and does not extend through said longitudinal axis (4).

12. The self-centering pallet according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the intermediate drive plate (17) is provided with a plurality of end-stop lobes (18) equal in number to the number of retaining pockets (10); each end-stop lobe (18) protruding outwardly from the intermediate drive plate (17) between the fixed retaining rods (9) of two adjacent retaining pockets (10).

13. The self-centering pallet according to any one of claims 9 to 12 when dependent on claim 7 or 8, wherein the intermediate drive plate (17) is mounted between the lower support plate (3) and the upper guide plate (2), particularly between the cranks (6) and the upper guide plate (2).

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