Roller transport unit
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- PL · PL
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- KOCH UWE
- Filing Date
- 2022-11-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-06
Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a roller transport unit for goods, in particular goods stacked in boxes, for use in freight logistics. It further relates to a system for transporting, handling and / or storing goods with such a roller transport unit.
[0002] In logistics, it is common practice to transport or store goods or other commodities grouped together in containers, often using transport crates or trays. These crates or trays contain individual goods, such as food items like fruits and vegetables, fresh baked goods, or pre-made dough blanks, also known as dough pieces. These dough pieces are pre-shaped loaves or rolls made from pre-produced dough, which then need to be baked in a bakery. They are typically pre-made at a central production site in bakeries and then transported—either refrigerated or unrefrigerated—to the branches, where the final baking process takes place. The freshly baked goods are then presented to customers and offered for sale on-site.
[0003] For transporting goods packed in boxes, it is well known that roller transport units are used. These units have a base plate with wheels mounted underneath, on which the boxes filled with goods can be stacked. The boxes are secured against falling sideways, for example with tension straps or grids or similar structures attached to the sides of the roller transport unit. The stack of boxes thus formed on the roller transport unit is moved using the unit; for example, it can be moved by rolling it across a surface from a distribution center into a transport vehicle, pushed from a transport vehicle to a destination, and so on.
[0004] The usual rolling transport units are typically dimensioned, or the transport boxes used are designed and adapted to the transport units, in such a way that not only one box can be placed on the base plate, but two boxes arranged next to each other, so that two stacks of boxes can be arranged next to each other on the base plate of a rolling transport unit.
[0005] One problem with using such roller transport units is that the cargo space of the transport vehicles used is typically limited, especially the available floor area, to accommodate and transport the roller transport units with stacks of boxes placed on them. Therefore, efforts are made to minimize the width and length of the roller transport units extending beyond the dimensions of the base plate, with the dimensions of the base plate ideally being matched to the dimensions of the boxes being transported.These dimensions are also based on the transport systems commonly used in logistics, and in Germany and other European countries are primarily based on the dimensions of the so-called Euro pallet, which is a common standard in the logistics sector of these countries. The dimensions of the base areas of various other units are based on or derived from this pallet, such as loading areas of freight vehicles, base area dimensions of transport boxes, and the like.
[0006] A system for transporting, handling, and / or storing goods, in which transport boxes can be arranged on trolleys in a space-saving manner and secured using locking bars, is disclosed in EP 3 670 292 A1. This system offers a significant advantage in logistics, particularly in the distribution of goods to collection points—often located in areas with limited access—with small order quantities and comparatively little storage space. This allows for the optimal loading of as many trolleys as possible, with secured transport boxes, even into transport vehicles with relatively low loading capacity, and simplifies the handling of the loaded trolleys in the often confined spaces of the collection points.
[0007] However, even with the known system, according to the prior art described above, a problem remains: the base plate of the trolley is designed, as described above, to accommodate two transport boxes side by side, i.e., it is intended for stacking two adjacent stacks of boxes. This leads to problems, in particular, when goods or merchandise are transported with the known system to different locations – for example, a cold storage room or a counter or bar area.
[0008] Subsets of the two stacks of boxes on a trolley can be assigned to different storage locations. For example, one subset of the boxes on a trolley may require special storage, such as refrigeration, while another subset of boxes from the same trolley is to be used immediately elsewhere (at a different location).
[0009] Then the trolleys have to be partially unloaded on site, i.e. boxes have to be removed, and the partially emptied trolley then has to be moved to a suitably prepared storage room or to another place of use.
[0010] Sometimes entire stacks of crates are transferred to a small trolley if space constraints prevent the large trolley, which can hold two stacks of crates, from accessing the work area. This transfer process is time-consuming and places an additional physical strain on the personnel performing it. Typical weights of a single loaded crate range from 8 to 15 kg.
[0011] At its final destination, however, the trolley takes up a comparatively large amount of space, as it is no longer fully loaded with transport crates containing goods, but at least partially unloaded. To make optimal use of this storage space, further transport crates must be transferred from another trolley to refill the removed crates. This leads to further problems, especially if crates with other goods, for example, dough for other baked goods in a bakery branch, are loaded, so that the stored trolley and its crates become mixed up, making further handling more difficult.
[0012] The present invention aims to address this by providing a roller transport unit that allows for more flexible handling, and also by providing a system for transporting, handling and / or storing goods that offers precisely this advantage.
[0013] The invention initially provides a roller transport unit for goods, particularly those stacked in boxes, for use in freight logistics. This roller transport unit comprises a base with a top and a bottom. Such a base can, for example, be flat, i.e., in the form of a closed base. However, it can also have an open base and, for example, be merely frame-like, with, for instance, slat-like edge sections on which the boxes can be placed and which thus define the loading area. In this respect, the term "base" is not limited to a closed base in the strict sense, but is to be understood in a broad sense that also includes perforated structures, such as a simple frame design.
[0014] On the upper side of the base, a platform is provided for receiving goods to be transported, in particular stackable boxes containing the goods to be transported. Wheels are arranged beneath the base of the rolling transport unit according to the invention for moving the unit. These wheels can be fixed in wheel bearings located on the underside of the base. Advantageously, these wheels can be pivotable about a plane perpendicular to a plane defined by the base, in order to make the rolling transport unit steerable. Furthermore, locking devices can advantageously be provided on the wheels to secure the rolling transport unit in a parked position against rolling away.
[0015] According to the invention, the roller transport unit comprises two sub-units, and in particular is formed from two such sub-units. Each of these sub-units has a base section forming a support surface, and these base sections are joined together, in particular seamlessly, to form the mounting base and are detachably connected to one another. The support surfaces of the base sections together form the mounting surface. At least three wheels are arranged below each of the two base sections in an arrangement that deviates from a linear configuration.
[0016] This inventive design allows a roller transport unit according to the invention to be used, on the one hand, in a state where the two sub-units are detachably connected to each other and their base sections are joined to form the base, in a manner known for comparable roller transport trolleys, e.g., with two stacks of boxes placed side by side on it. On the other hand, it is also possible to divide the roller transport unit according to the invention into two independent "sub-rollers" by releasing the detachable connection between the sub-units, e.g., in such a way that a stack of boxes remains on each of the sub-units.For example, the inventive rolling transport unit can be used for the actual transport to a destination, such as a branch of a bakery, with assembled and interconnected sub-units. This facilitates both handling and loading of transport vehicles, since the inventive rolling transport unit has basic dimensions that are standardized for known rolling transport trolleys in logistics. At the destination, for example, a branch of a bakery, the rolling transport unit can then be separated into two sub-units ("sub-rollers") by disconnecting them. These sub-units can then be transported separately on site.For example, one of the sub-units with boxes stacked on top of it can be moved to a storage room, such as a refrigerated storage room, while a second of the sub-units can be moved to a place for further processing of the goods stacked in boxes on top of it, for example to a baking room, where dough pieces arranged in the boxes can then be placed in the oven to bake the finished pasta products.
[0017] If the baked goods are finished, they can be taken directly to the counter area. There, the baked goods are taken from the crates and placed on display. Maneuvering with a standard (large) wire mesh trolley is often not possible in the very limited space of the counter area.
[0018] On the one hand, the flexibility of transporting smaller partial loads to different locations is advantageous; on the other hand, the individual sub-units to be handled on site are smaller in their dimensions, which is particularly advantageous where there are confined spaces at the destination of the delivery.
[0019] The basic approach of connecting roll transport trolleys is known, for example from DE 20 2016 102 917 U1. However, in that case, the connection is not used to form individual, independently manageable roll transport units from two subunits, but rather serves the purpose of securing a load with several interchangeable roll transport trolleys by connecting several such trolleys, even along their longitudinal and / or transverse edges, and forming "clusters" of several interconnected trolleys. This transport principle is also known as a "route train".
[0020] A further aspect of the inventive design of the roller transport unit described and claimed herein consists in the configuration of the detachable connection between the sub-units. Each of the connectable sub-units has at least one first coupling element connected to the respective sub-unit, and a fixing element is provided which is movable relative to the sub-units along a locking direction from a release position to a fixing position. This fixing element contains second coupling elements that correspond to the first coupling elements and, in conjunction with the first coupling elements, create a detachably fixing connection between the two sub-units. The corresponding first and second coupling elements are each formed from a pair of a locking pin and a locking recess, the locking recess having a cross-section that tapers in the locking direction.
[0021] These coupling means, designed according to the invention, allow for the simple and detachable connection of the two sub-units to form the roller transport unit. By using cooperating locking pins and locking recesses with a cross-sectional shape that tapers in the direction of the locking mechanism, a pull-together effect is achieved, particularly during locking, with a suitably coordinated arrangement of locking pins and locking recesses. This results in a gap-free or seamless joining of the two base sections to form the installation base and the unified installation surface. In this arrangement, it is possible, for example, for locking pins to be fixed to the sub-units themselves, perhaps projecting laterally, and for the fixing element to have corresponding locking recesses at a suitable distance from one another.However, it is equally possible to arrange the locking pins on the fixing element and the locking recesses on the sub-units, or alternatively, one locking pin on one sub-unit, one locking recess on the other sub-unit, and correspondingly a locking recess and a locking pin on the fixing element.
[0022] The detachable connection of the sub-units is created by inserting the locking pins into the locking recesses, or by guiding the locking recesses over the locking pins and further shifting the fixing element in the locking direction until the tapered cross-section of the locking recesses pulls the locking pins towards each other, thus creating the connection between the sub-units. The locking pins may, but do not necessarily have to, have a head section with an increased diameter at a free end, which may, in particular, have a diameter exceeding that of the locking recesses in the section where they effect the locking action.
[0023] The recess can taper wedge-shaped, particularly in the direction of the bolt, especially with legs converging at the same angle. In particular, a teardrop-shaped recess is conceivable, with the end of the teardrop tapering to a point in the direction of the bolt.
[0024] The fixing element can, in particular, take the form of a plate, i.e., be designed as a fixing plate. Such a plate is easy to manufacture and, if the fixing element has locking recesses, can be easily fitted with them. Furthermore, a fixing plate can be positioned in close contact with the planar side edges of the sub-units of the roller transport unit in an area where the respective first coupling elements are located, for example, in the form of locking pins.
[0025] In practice, care will be taken to ensure that the locking element, when it locks the sub-units together in the detachable connection (i.e., in the locking position), is forced into the locking direction and thus into the locking position. This can be achieved, for example, by utilizing gravity if a sufficiently heavy locking element is used, which, due to its own weight, exerts enough force in the locking direction to hold the two sub-units together. Alternatively, this can be achieved by spring-loading the locking element into the locking position. It is also conceivable to move the locking element into the locking position and lock it there using suitable means, in order to achieve a purely positive locking connection.
[0026] In another possible embodiment, the sub-units of the roller transport unit can each have at least one centering element on the contact surfaces where they meet to form the base. These centering elements are then designed to be complementary and work together to align and center the sub-units when they are joined to form the base. This design helps to quickly find and assume a centered and precisely fitting connection position when joining the sub-units to form the roller transport unit, so that the two sub-units can then be quickly and easily connected and detachably fixed by attaching the fixing element and moving it into the fixing position. The centering elements used are, in particular, conical or pyramidal projections on the contact surfaces and corresponding recesses or recesses.Consider regressing.
[0027] A particular advantage of the invention is that the roller transport unit can be formed from two sub-units with identically shaped support surfaces, which together form the base of the installation platform. In other words, the roller transport unit is thus constructed from two essentially identical sub-units. This allows, in particular, for the formation of a stack of equally sized stacking boxes on each sub-unit for storing and transporting goods, with the advantages already indicated and explained above.
[0028] In principle, three wheels arranged in a non-linear orientation under the base sections of each of the two sub-units are sufficient to allow the sub-units, which are not connected to the rolling transport unit, to stand upright individually and roll across a surface. However, for further stabilization, which is particularly advantageous with comparatively heavy loads, it may be preferable to provide at least four wheels, preferably fixed at or in the area of the corner sections of the base sections of the sub-units.
[0029] A further aspect of the invention comprises a system for transporting, handling, and / or storing goods, which includes a roller transport unit as described in more detail above and designed with the mandatory features, and optionally also with the features mentioned as optional, as well as a plurality of transport boxes that can be placed on the base, and at least one locking bar that is adjustable in length and lockable at a set length. According to the invention, the locking bar has a coupling section at one of its two longitudinal ends, with which it can be connected to an edge of one of the transport boxes or to two edges of adjacent transport boxes and detachably fixed thereto, and the fixing element is arranged at its second of the two longitudinal ends.
[0030] In principle, this system is similar to the system described in EP 3 670 292 A1, with the essential modification that the system according to the invention does not contain a continuous rolling transport trolley, but rather the rolling transport unit according to the invention, which is formed from two sub-units, and that the locking bar has the fixing element at its second longitudinal end, in particular being rigidly connected to it there. The handling of the locking bar for fixing stacks of boxes on the rolling transport unit is carried out in the manner described in EP 3 670 292 A1, so that reference can be made to the description therein, whereby the disclosure of EP 3 670 292 A1 is incorporated into the present description and disclosure by reference. Accordingly, the transport boxes can also be, in particular, space-saving boxes such as, for example,Folding or collapsible boxes, in which the coupling section of the locking bar is formed, can also be used to attack external structures of folded or collapsed boxes, as is also described in the disclosure referenced here in EP 3 670 292 A1, there also with more detailed information and descriptions that also apply to the present invention.
[0031] The design of the locking bar, which differs primarily from the locking bar described in EP 3 670 292 A1 in that the fixing element is arranged at its second longitudinal end, is otherwise also as described in the aforementioned publication, so that reference is also made to the disclosure therein, which is also valid for the locking bar described and claimed here. In particular, it can also be designed as a telescopically displaceable locking bar with a locking or clamping element for fixing the set length position.The special feature here, that the locking bar has the fixing element at its second end, means that when securing the stack(s) of boxes stacked on the roller transport unit according to the invention by means of the locking bar, which engages with the first coupling means on the two sub-units at its second longitudinal end, the locking of the connection between the two sub-units to the roller transport unit is simultaneously maintained and ensured. Accordingly, the locking recesses are oriented and arranged here such that a locking direction results which points from the underside of the base, essentially perpendicular to the plane defined by the mounting surface, towards the top of the base.Such an inventive design of the system enables, on the one hand, the simultaneous securing of the load in the form of transport boxes filled with goods on the roller transport unit with a simple and quick movement, and on the other hand, the simultaneous locking of the detachable connection between the two sub-units and the roller transport unit. Conversely, when the load securing is released at a destination, the two sub-units of the roller transport unit can also be decoupled, so that the two sub-units can then be used separately.This is particularly advantageous if the roller transport unit, with its essentially identical sub-units (or sub-units of the same size) as described above, has a possible further development and a base surface that is essentially the same size as the bearing surface of the base sections of the sub-units. This allows the roller transport unit to be divided into two sub-units, each with a stack of transport boxes placed on it, if the connection between the sub-units is detached.If, as further advantageously provided for in a further development, the coupling section of the locking bar is shaped and designed to engage simultaneously at the edges of two adjacent transport boxes, each resting on one of the base sections, thus securing both stacks of boxes together, particularly simple handling is possible. By attaching a locking bar, advantageously by attaching one locking bar to each of two opposite sides of the roller transport unit, both stacks of boxes can be secured and the sub-units connected to form the roller transport unit; conversely, by releasing the locking bar, the stacks can be separated.The securing of the stack of boxes is released by the two opposing locking bars, and the two sub-units are detached from the roller transport unit and then immediately moved individually and separately by rollers, especially to different areas for further processing at the destination.
[0032] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of possible embodiments and from the accompanying figures, which illustrate these possible embodiments. These figures show: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a roller transport unit to be formed from two sub-units in a state with the sub-units separated from each other; Figure 2 shows, in two representations a and b, the principle of connecting the two sub-units to form the roller transport unit by means of a fixing element; Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of two sub-units to be connected to form the roller transport unit; Figure 4 shows two sub-units loaded with stacked boxes, which are to be joined together to form a roller transport unit loaded with boxes according to the invention; Figure 5 shows a roller transport unit loaded with boxes formed from the two sub-units loaded with stacked boxes, wherein the boxes are secured with a locking bar and at the same time the sub-units are fixed in the connected position with a fixing element fixed to the locking bar;Figure 6 schematically illustrates, in three representations a, b and c, each in a frontal view and a side view, the procedure for connecting the sub-units loaded with stacks of boxes to form the roller transport unit.
[0033] The figures schematically illustrate possible embodiments of the invention. In particular, the figures do not represent complete detailed drawings and are not to scale. They show essential features of the design according to the invention and serve to provide a deeper understanding of the illustrated embodiments, which are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.
[0034] In the Figures 1 to 3 First, a roller transport unit 1 according to the invention is shown with various features selectable in possible embodiment variants.
[0035] The roller transport unit 1 is formed from two sub-units 1a and 1b, which can be detachably connected to each other. The roller transport unit 1 has a base 2, which is formed from two base sections 2a and 2b, which are formed in the respective sub-units 1a and 1b. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 2 and the base sections 2a and 2b are plank-like, thus forming a continuous base. However, other embodiments are conceivable in which the base 2, or the base sections 2a and 2b, are formed as a grid or grate, or in which only a surrounding frame with a support rail is formed, on which objects can be placed. The base 2, or the base sections 2a and 2b, each have a top surface 3 and a bottom surface 4. On the top surface 3 of the base 2, orTransport containers, especially stacking crates, can be placed on the floor sections 2a and 2b. It is particularly advantageous that the sub-units 1a and 1b, with their floor sections 2a and 2b, can be dimensioned and designed such that the area of each floor section 2a and 2b essentially corresponds to the base or standing area of a stacking crate to be placed on it, so that a vertically stacked stack of crates can be placed or stacked on each of the sub-units 1a and 1b.
[0036] Wheels 5 are arranged on the underside of the base sections 2a and 2b. Specifically, there are four such wheels 5 below each of the base sections 2a and 2b of the respective subunits 1a and 1b, namely one in the area of each corner of the rectangular base section 2a, 2b. Figure 1Only the wheels 5 located at the front of the illustration are visible; the wheels formed in the corners shown at the rear of the figure are not shown or are not visible. At least some of the wheels 5 can be mounted on the underside 4 of the respective corrugated base section 2a, 2b, in particular by means of a suspension that pivots about a vertical axis, thus enabling steering of the plate-like sub-unit 1a or 1b. Each sub-unit 1a, 1b can be moved and individually transported or relocated in this way. The two sub-units 1a and 1b can also be joined together to form the rolling transport unit 1 and firmly connected to each other. For this purpose, a pin 6 is arranged at one corner of each sub-unit 1a or 1b, for example, in recesses, which projects essentially horizontally from an edge surface of the respective base section 2a or 2b. Figure 1These pins 6 are shown only in the front area and in the section marked by a circle. However, such pins 6 can also be formed, and are particularly advantageous in this respect, on the opposite side where the bottom sections 2a and 2b meet, i.e., in a section shown at the rear of the figure, as is also the case in the Figure 3 As indicated. These pins 6 are now passed through openings 9 of a fixing plate 8 to connect the subunits 1a and 1b, the openings 9 in the fixing plate 8 having a longitudinally tapered opening width, in particular being teardrop-shaped, or conically tapering to a kind of point. The narrow ones in the Figures 2a and 2bThe ends of the openings 9 shown below are arranged in the fixing plate 8 at a distance from each other that corresponds to a distance between the pins 6 when the edges of the two bottom sections 2a and 2b are abutting each other without gaps.
[0037] To connect the two sub-units 1a and 1b, the fixing plate 8 with the openings 9 is guided over the pins 6 of the adjacent sub-units 1a and 1b and then moved longitudinally so that the pins 6 are shifted towards the narrow ends of the tapered openings 9, or conversely, so that the openings 9 are guided over the pins 6 so that the pins 6 lie in the narrow sections of the openings 9. This closes a gap S between the adjacent longitudinal edges of the base sections 2a and 2b of the sub-units 1a and 1b until the pins 6 lie in the area of the narrowest points of the openings 9, as shown in Figure 2bThe fixing plate 8 must now be held and secured or locked in this position. This can be done, for example, by spring action, by positive locking of the fixing plate 8, or in another way, for example, if the fixing plate 8 is not positioned as shown in the Figures 2a and 2b The device is not used as shown, but in an arrangement rotated by 180°, i.e., with the narrow openings pointing upwards, driven by gravity, in that the fixing plate 8 is pulled downwards by a weight or by its own weight. As shown in the Figure 1 and also in the Figure 3Further sections show that additional pins 7 are provided, again in cutouts of the respective edge of the base section 2a or 2b. These pins 7 can be used in a manner to be explained in more detail below, for example to secure boxes stacked on one of the sub-units 1a, 1b.
[0038] To join the two subunits 1a and 1b in a clean and defined orientation with their transverse edges aligned, and to force the subunits 1a and 1b into such a position during joining, centering means can be provided that are complementary to the respective subunits 1a and 1b and interact with each other during joining. These can be, for example, as in the Figure 3shown trapezoidal or conical projections 10, which in a corresponding position in the opposite edge of the other subunit 1a, 1b engage trapezoidal tapered or conical tapered recesses 11 and thus effect centering and alignment when connecting.
[0039] The Figures 4 to 6 show how a transport system can be formed with a roller transport unit 1 according to the invention and as described above, and stackable boxes 12 placed on it in stacks. Figure 4The figure first shows how two separate or subsequently separated subunits 1a and 1b are each equipped with a stack of transport boxes 12, the lowest transport box 12 resting on the base section 2a or 2b of the respective subunit 1a and 1b, respectively, and essentially filling this area with its base. In this configuration and separate arrangement, the subunits 1a and 1b can each be transported separately and moved and relocated by rolling them on their wheels 5. Alternatively, they can be pushed together and then fixed to each other by the interaction of a fixing plate 8 with the pins 6, as described above.
[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing plate 8 is fixed to a locking bar 13 at its lower end. The locking bar 13 has a coupling section 14 at its upper end, which rests on the edges 12a of boxes in the two stacks of stacked transport boxes 12, i.e., on an edge 12a of the uppermost box on the sub-unit 1a and also on an edge 12a of the uppermost transport boxes 12 stacked on the sub-unit 1b. The locking bar 13 is adjustable in length and can be fixed at a set length. This is indicated by a double arrow shown next to the locking bar 13. Thus, the locking bar 13 can be used to secure and fix the roller transport unit 1 formed from the two sub-units 1a and 1b, by shortening the length of the locking bar 13, thereby pulling the fixing plate 8 upwards, as shown in the illustration. Figures 6a to 6cAs illustrated, the pins 6 in the openings 9 enter the area where the openings 9 have their narrow opening width, and the pins 6 and thus the subunits 1a and 1b are drawn together, so that the gap S formed between the subunits 1a and 1b decreases and finally closes.
[0041] At the same time, when the length of the locking bar 13 is shortened in this way, the coupling section 14, which, for example, protrudes like claws over the respective edge 12a of the uppermost transport boxes 12 in the respective stack on both sub-units 1a and 1b, is pulled into a position that locks the stacks of boxes, so that with a single movement or a single action, on the one hand the two sub-units 1a and 1b are securely fixed together to form the rolling transport unit 1 and on the other hand both stacks of transport boxes 12 are secured fixed on the sub-units 1a and 1b.In practice, locking bars 13 are used on the two opposite sides of the roller transport unit 1 to connect the sub-units 1a and 1b, so that on the one hand the fixing of the connection of the two sub-units 1a and 1b is secured even more strongly and on the other hand the securing of the stacks of boxes from the transport boxes 12 on the two sub-units 1a and 1b is also improved.
[0042] One like in Figure 5The locking bar 13 shown can also be used to secure the respective stack of transport crates 12 on the subunits 1a and 1b, respectively. This is achieved by placing the fixing plate 8 of the locking bar 13 over the pins 7, which are also arranged at a distance corresponding to the spacing of the openings 9 at their narrow points, and then engaging the edge 12a of the uppermost transport crates 12 in the crate stack on the assigned subunits 1a and 1b with its coupling section 14. In this way, locking bars 13 can be used, for example, to provide additional security for particularly high or otherwise unstable stacks of transport crates 12. A locking bar 13 can also be used to release the two subunits 1a and 1b from the stack as shown in the figure. Figure 5The shown position is removed by first extending its length again and then releasing and removing it, to secure the stack of boxes on one of the sub-units 1a or 1b, in order to then move this sub-unit 1a or b with a secured stack of transport boxes 12 individually, for example from a goods receiving area towards a cold storage room or another storage location.
[0043] It has become clear once again from the foregoing description that, with the embodiment according to the invention, roller transport units 1 can be assembled from sub-units 1a and 1b, with which a batch of transport boxes 12 can be handled together and moved on the rollers 5 and transported to a first destination; that then, by separating the two sub-units 1a and 1b, correspondingly smaller sub-units can be obtained, which, starting from a first destination, can then again be handled individually and transported differently, for example, a first of the sub-units 1a towards a storage room or cold storage room, a second of the sub-units 1b into a sales area or the like. Reference symbol list
[0044] 1Rolltransporteinheit 1a, bTeileinheit 2Aufstellboden 2a, bBodenabschnitt 3Oberseite 4Unterseite 5Rad 6Zapfen 7Zapfen 8Fixierplatte 9Öffnung 10Vorsprung 11Ausnehmung 12Transportkiste 12aKante 13Riegelstange 14Koppelabschnitt SSpalt
Claims
1. A rolling transport unit (1) for goods, in particular stacked in boxes (12), for use in goods logistics, comprising • a base (2) having a top side (3) and a bottom side (4), wherein a base surface for receiving goods to be transported, in particular stackable boxes (12) with goods to be transported arranged therein, is formed on the top side (3) of the base (2), • wheels (5) arranged below the base (2) for rolling movement of the rolling transport unit (1), wherein the rolling transport unit (1) comprises two sub-units (1a, 1b), each having a base section (2a, 2b) forming a support surface, wherein sub-units (1a, 1b) are joined to one another with their base sections (2a, 2b) to form the base (2), in particular seamlessly, and are detachably connected to one another, wherein the support surfaces of the base sections (2a,2b) together form the installation surface and wherein below each of the floor sections (2a, 2b) at least three wheels (5) are arranged in an arrangement deviating from a linear arrangement, , characterized byat least one first coupling means connected to each of the interconnectable sub-units (1a, 1b), and a fixing element (8) movable relative to the sub-units (1a, 1b) along a locking direction from a release position into a fixing position, with second coupling means provided thereon, designed to correspond to the first coupling means and, in cooperation with the first coupling means, creating a connection that releasably fixes the two sub-units (1a, 1b), wherein the mutually corresponding first and second coupling means are each formed from a pair of a locking pin (6) and a locking recess (9), wherein the locking recess (9) has a cross-section that tapers in the locking direction.
2. Rolling transport unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking recesses (9) are drop-shaped.
3. Roll transport unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing element (8) is a fixing plate.
4. Rolling transport unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first coupling means are formed as locking pins (6) and that the second coupling means are formed as locking recesses (9).
5. Rolling transport unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing element (8) is spring-loaded into the fixing position.
6. Rolling transport unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sub-units (1a, 1b) each have at least one centering means (10, 11) on abutting surfaces with which they lie against one another to form the installation floor (2), wherein the centering means (10, 11) are formed complementarily and cooperate to align and center the sub-units (1a, 1b) when connected to form the installation floor (2).
7. Rolling transport unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is composed of two sub-units (1a, 1b) with equally sized support surfaces (2a, 2b) which together form the installation base (2).
8. Rolling transport unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by four wheels (5) arranged below each of the two base sections (2a, 2b) of the sub-units (1a, 1b).
9. System for transporting, handling and / or storing goods with a roller transport unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, a plurality of transport crates (12) which can be placed on the installation floor and at least one locking bar (13) which is adjustable in length and can be locked at a set length, wherein the locking bar (13) has a coupling section (14) at a first of its two longitudinal ends for connecting to and releasably securing to an edge (12a) of the transport crates (12) and wherein the fixing element (8) is arranged at the second of the two longitudinal ends of the locking bar (13).
10. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the rolling transport unit (1) is formed with the features of claim 7 and that the transport boxes (12) each have a support surface which essentially corresponds to the support surface of the base sections (2a, 2b) of the sub-units (1a, 1b).
11. System according to claim 10, characterized in that the coupling section (14) is shaped and designed to engage simultaneously on the edges (12a) of two adjacently arranged transport boxes (12) each of which bears on one of the base sections (2a, 2b).
12. System according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the transport boxes (12) are space-saving boxes, such as folding or collapsible boxes or also rotating stacking boxes, wherein the coupling section (14) of the locking bar (13) is designed to also engage external structures of folded, folded or upside down stacked boxes (12).