Roller transport unit and system for transporting, transferring and / or storing freight

Abstract

A roller transport unit (1) for freight for use in freight logistics has an installation base (2) with an upper side (3) and a lower side (4). The roller transport unit (1) comprises two sub-units (1a, 1b), each having a base portion (2a, 2b) forming a support surface, the base portions (2a, 2b) of which are joined to each other and detachably connected to each other to form the installation base (2). At least three wheels (5) are arranged below each of the base portions (2a, 2b) in an arrangement deviating from a linear arrangement. Each of the sub-units (1a, 1b) which can be connected to one another has a first coupling means, and a fixing element which can be moved relative to the sub-units (1a, 1b) along a locking direction from a release position into a fixing position is provided, which fixing element has second coupling means which are designed to correspond to the first coupling means and, in interaction with the first coupling means, create a connection which releasably fixes the two sub-units (1a, 1b). The mutually corresponding first and second coupling means are each formed from a pair of a locking pin (6) and a locking recess, the locking recess having a cross section which tapers in the locking direction.

Description

[0001] Roll transport unit and system for transporting, handling and / or storing goods

[0002] 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.

[0003] 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.

[0004] 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.

[0005] 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.

[0006] 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. In Germany and other European countries, they are primarily based on the dimensions of the so-called Euro pallet, which is a 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 standard, such as the loading areas of freight vehicles, the base dimensions of transport crates, and the like. A system for transporting, handling, and / or storing goods, in which transport crates 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 roll containers as possible, even into transport vehicles with relatively low loading capacity, and simplifies the handling of the loaded roll containers in the often cramped spaces at 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 is joined to one another, in particular seamlessly, and detachably connected to one another. Together, the base sections of the sub-units then form the base, and the support surfaces of the base sections together form the installation 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, such as 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 rolling 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 rolling transport unit is thus constructed from two essentially identical sub-units. This allows, in particular, for the creation 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. In principle, three wheels arranged in a non-linear orientation under the base sections of each sub-unit are sufficient to allow the sub-units, which are not connected to form the rolling transport unit, to stand upright independently and roll across a surface.For further stabilization, which is particularly advantageous with comparatively heavy loads, it may be preferable to provide at least four wheels there, preferably fixed at or in the area of ​​the corner sections of the floor sections of the sub-units.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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 particular 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.

[0030] 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 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.

[0031] 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:

[0032] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a unit to be formed from two subunits

[0033] Roller transport unit in a state with separate sub-units; Figure 2 in two representations a and b schematically shows the principle of connecting the two sub-units to form the roller transport unit by means of a fixing element;

[0034] Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of two sub-units to be connected to form the roller transport unit;

[0035] Figure 4 shows two sub-units loaded with stacked boxes, which are to be joined together to form a box-loaded rolling transport unit according to the invention;

[0036] Figure 5 shows a roll 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;

[0037] Figure 6 in three representations a, b and c schematically and 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;

[0038] Figure 7 shows a schematic view, comparable to Figure 1, of a roller transport unit to be formed from two sub-units in a state with sub-units separated from each other, formed according to an alternative design;

[0039] Figure 8 shows three sub-units loaded with stacked boxes according to the alternative embodiment of Figure 7, which are to be combined to form a box-loaded rolling transport unit according to the invention; and

[0040] Figure 9 shows a rolling transport unit formed from the three sub-units loaded with stacked boxes according to Figure 8, 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] Figures 1 to 3 show a roller transport unit 1 according to the invention with various features that can be selected in possible embodiment variants.

[0043] 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 also 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 crate can be placed or stacked on each of the sub-units 1a and 1b.

[0044] Wheels 5 are arranged on the underside of the base sections 2a and 2b. Specifically, there are four such wheels 5 located beneath each of the base sections 2a and 2b of the respective sub-units 1a and 1b, one at each corner of the rectangular base section 2a, 2b. In Figure 1, only the wheels 5 located at the front are visible; the wheels located at the rear corners are not shown or are not visible. At least some of the wheels 5 can be mounted on the underside 4 of the respective undulating 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 therefore be moved and individually repositioned by rolling.The two sub-units 1a and 1b can also be joined together to form the roller 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, projecting essentially horizontally from an edge surface of the respective base section 2a or 2b. In Figure 1, these 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 on the opposite side where the base sections 2a and 2b meet, i.e., in a section shown at the rear of the figure, as is also indicated in Figure 3.These pins 6 are now guided through openings 9 in a fixing plate 8 to connect the sub-units 1a and 1b. The openings 9 in the fixing plate 8 have a longitudinally tapered opening width, in particular being teardrop-shaped or conically tapering to a point. The narrow ends of the openings 9, shown below in Figures 2a and 2b, are arranged in the fixing plate 8 at a distance from each other that corresponds to the distance between the pins 6 when the edges of the two base sections 2a and 2b are abutting each other without gaps. 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 displaced towards the narrow ends of the tapered openings 9.Conversely, the openings 9 are guided over the pins 6 in such a way that the pins 6 lie in the narrow areas of the openings 9. This closes a gap S between the adjacent longitudinal edges of the base sections 2a, 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 2b. The fixing plate 8 must now be held and secured or locked in this position. This can be achieved, for example, by spring action, by a positive locking mechanism, or in other ways, for example, if the fixing plate 8 is not used as shown in Figures 2a and 2b, but in an arrangement rotated by 180°, i.e., with the narrow openings facing upwards, it can be gravity-driven by being pulled downwards by a weight or by its own weight.As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3, additional pins 7 can be provided in further sections of the sub-units 1a and 1b, again in cutouts of the respective edge of the base section 2a and 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 and 1b.

[0045] 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, trapezoidal or conical projections 10 as shown in Figure 3, which, in a corresponding position, engage trapezoidal tapered or conical tapered recesses 11 formed in the opposite edge of the other subunit 1a, 1b, thus effecting centering and alignment during joining.

[0046] 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 stacked boxes 12 placed on it. Figure 4 shows how two subunits 1a and 1b, which are either separate or separated again, are each equipped with a stack of transport boxes 12, with the lowest transport box 12 resting on the base section 2a or 2b of the respective subunit 1a and 1b, respectively, and substantially 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 on their wheels 5. Alternatively, they can be pushed together and then fixed to each other in the manner described above by the interaction of a fixing plate 8 with the pins 6.

[0047] 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 subunit 1a and also on an edge 12a of the uppermost transport boxes 12 stacked on subunit 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.The locking bar 13 can be used to secure and fix the roller transport unit 1 formed from the two sub-units 1 a and 1 b, by shortening the length of the locking bar 13, thereby pulling the fixing plate 8 upwards and, as illustrated in Figures 6a to 6c, causing the pins 6 in the openings 9 to enter the area where the openings 9 have their narrowest opening width, thereby pulling the pins 6 and thus the sub-units 1 a and 1 b together, so that the gap S formed between the sub-units 1 a and 1 b decreases and finally closes.

[0048] At the same time, when the length of the locking bar 13 is shortened in this way, the coupling section 14, which, for example, projects like claws over the respective edge 12a of the uppermost transport boxes 12 in the respective stack on both sub-units 1 a and 1 b, 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 1 a and 1 b 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 1 a and 1 b.In practice, locking bars 13 are used on the two opposite sides of the roller transport unit 1 to connect the sub-units 1 a and 1 b, so that on the one hand the fixing of the connection of the two sub-units 1 a and 1 b 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 1 a and 1 b is also improved.

[0049] Furthermore, a locking bar 13, as shown in Figure 5, can also be used to secure the respective stack of transport crates 12 on the subunit 1a or on the subunit 1b, 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 with its coupling section 14 only on the edge 12a of the uppermost transport crates 12 in the crate stack on the assigned subunit 1a or 1b. In this way, locking bars 13 can be used, for example, to provide additional securing for particularly high or otherwise unstable stacks of transport crates 12.However, a locking bar 13, which is removed from the position shown in Figure 5 to release the two sub-units 1 a and 1 b by first extending it in length and then releasing and removing it, can also be used to secure the stack of boxes on one of the sub-units 1 a or 1 b, in order to then move this sub-unit 1 a 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.

[0050] Figures 7 to 9 show a variant of a roller transport unit 100, which can be assembled from two or more subunits 100a, 100b, 100c. The basic structure of the roller transport unit 100 and its subunits 100a, 100b, 100c corresponds to that of the roller transport unit 1, or its subunits 1a, 1b. Furthermore, in contrast to the illustrations in Figures 7 to 9, the optional features and functions explained with reference to Figures 1 to 6 can also be implemented in the roller transport unit 100, or its subunits 100a, 100b, 100c, e.g., corresponding centering means such as the projections 10 and the corresponding recesses 11 in the side edges of the subunits 100a, 100b, 100c.

[0051] The essential difference between roller transport unit 100 and roller transport unit 1, and between sub-units 100a, 100b, 100c and sub-units 1a and 1b, lies in the fact that, unlike sub-units 1a and 1b, sub-units 100a, 100b, and 100c do not have pins 6 for connecting to the fixing plate 8 only at one corner of the opposite side edges, but rather at the corners on both sides. This allows, unlike roller transport unit 1, which can be assembled from only two sub-units 1a and 1b, in particular the coupling and connection of two or more, including three or even more, sub-units 100a, 100b, and 100c. Therefore, either larger roller transport units 100 can be flexibly formed in this way, or the sub-units 100a, 100b, 100c can be dimensioned smaller while maintaining the same size of a roller transport unit 100.Figures 8 and 9 show the assembly of more than two sub-units 100a, 100b, 100c, specifically exactly three such sub-units, to form a roller transport unit 100. The connection is made by means of the locking bars 13 and their coupling sections 14, as well as the fixing plates 8, in the same manner as described above.

[0052] A further advantage of arranging the pins 6 at the two corners of the two opposite side edges of the subunits 100a, 100b, 100c is that the subunits 100a, 100b, 100c formed in this way can also be coupled and connected in an orientation rotated by 180° about their vertical axis.

[0053] It has become clear from the foregoing description that, with the embodiment according to the invention, roller transport units 1, 100 can be assembled from sub-units 1 a and 1 b, or 100a, 100b, 100c, etc., 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 sub-units 1 a and 1 b, or 100a, 100b, 100c, etc., 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 or several of the sub-units 1 a or 100a and 100b towards a storage room or cold storage room, a second of the sub-units 1 b, 100c to a sales area or the like.

[0054] Reference symbol list

[0055] 1 rolling transport unit

[0056] 1 a, b subunit

[0057] 2 Mounting base

[0058] 2a, b Soil section

[0059] 3 Top

[0060] 4 Underside

[0061] 5 wheels

[0062] 6 cones

[0063] 7 cones

[0064] 8 Fixing plate

[0065] 9 Opening

[0066] 10 lead

[0067] 1 1 Exclusion

[0068] 12 Transport box 12a Edge

[0069] 13 locking bars

[0070] 14 Coupling section 100 Roll transport unit 100a, b, c Subunit

[0071] S gap

Claims

Claims:

1. Roll transport unit (1 ; 100) for goods, especially those stacked in boxes (12), for use in freight logistics with • a base (2) having a top (3) and a bottom (4), wherein on the top (3) of the base (2) a mounting surface for receiving goods to be transported, in particular stacking boxes (12) with goods to be transported arranged therein, is formed, • wheels (5) arranged below the base (2) for rolling movement of the rolling transport unit (1 ; 100), wherein the rolling transport unit (1 ; 100) comprises at least two sub-units (1 a, 1 b; 100a, 100b, 100c), each of which has a base section (2a, 2b) forming a support surface, wherein sub-units (1 a, 1 b; 100a, 100b, 100c) with their base sections (2a, 2b), in particular seamlessly, joined together and detachably connected to one another, wherein the base (2) is formed by the base sections (2a, 2b) of the subunits (1 a, 1 b; 100a, 100b, 100c), wherein the bearing surfaces of the base sections (2a, 2b) together form the base surface, and wherein at least three wheels (5) are arranged below each of the base sections (2a, 2b) in an arrangement deviating from a linear arrangement, characterized by at least one first coupling means connected to each of the connectable subunits (1 a, 1 b; 100a, 100b, 100c) and by a relative to the subunits (1 a, 1 b; 100a, 100b, 100c) a fixing element (8) movable along a bolt direction from a release position to a fixing position, with second coupling means provided thereon, designed corresponding to the first coupling means and in conjunction with the first coupling means creating a connection that releasably fixes the two subunits (1 a, 1 b; 100a, 100b, 100c), wherein the corresponding first and second coupling means are each formed from a pair of a bolt pin (6) and a bolt recess (9), wherein the bolt recess (9) has a cross-section that tapers in the bolt direction.

2. Roll transport unit (1 ; 100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the locking recesses (9) are teardrop-shaped.

3. Roller transport unit (1 ; 100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing element (8) is a fixing plate.

4. Roller transport unit (1 ; 100) 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. Roller transport unit (1 ; 100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing element (8) is spring-loaded in the fixing position.

6. Roller transport unit (1 ; 100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sub-units (1 a, 1 b; 100a, 100b, 100c) each have at least one centering means (10, 1 1 ) on butt surfaces with which they lie against each other to form the base (2), wherein the centering means (10, 1 1 ) are formed in a complementary manner and cooperate to align and center the sub-units (1 a, 1 b; 100a, 100b, 100c) when connecting them to form the base (2).

7. Roll transport unit (1 ; 100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is composed of two sub-units (1 a, 1 b; 100a, 100b, 100c) with equally sized support surfaces (2a, 2b) forming the base (2).

8. Roll transport unit (1 ; 100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by four wheels (5) arranged below each of the two bottom sections (2a, 2b) of the sub-units (1 a, 1 b; 100a, 100b, 100c).

9. System for transporting, handling and / or storing goods with a roller transport unit (1 ; 100) according to one of the preceding Claims, a plurality of transport boxes (12) to be placed on the installation floor and at least one locking bar (13) which is adjustable in length and lockable 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 detachably fixing to an edge (12a) of the transport boxes (1 2) 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 roller transport unit (1 ; 100) is formed with the features of claim 7 and that the transport boxes (12) each have a base surface which essentially corresponds to the bearing surface of the bottom sections (2a, 2b) of the subunits (1 a, 1 b; 100a, 100b, 100c). 1 1 . System according to claim 10, characterized in that the coupling section (14) is shaped and designed to engage simultaneously at each of the edges (1 2a) of two adjacent transport boxes (12) which are each loaded on one of the bottom sections (2a, 2b).

12. System according to one of claims 9 to 1 1 , characterized in that the transport boxes (12) are space-saving boxes, such as folding or collapsible boxes or also stackable boxes, wherein the coupling section (14) of the locking bar (13) is formed to also engage external structures of folded, inverted or inverted stacked boxes (12).

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