Locking device and pallet having a locking device

Abstract

The invention relates to a pallet (10) provided to receive loads and having a pallet frame, wherein the loads can be fastened directly or indirectly on the pallet frame (11) by means of at least one crossmember (13). The crossmember (13) can be fastened releasably on the pallet frame (11) by means of at least one connecting device (20), wherein - the connecting device (20), in each case a pair of locking hooks (21) mounted movably to each other, is provided for gripping and clamping a portion (121) of a crossmember (13), - the locking hooks (21) are mounted on the device (20) pivotably between an open position and a closed position, - the locking hooks, in the closed position, engage form-fittingly around the portion of the crossmember in the closed position, - the locking hooks (21) are coupled to each other by means of a gear system (40) for the uniform pivoting movement, and the connecting device (20) is unlockable and lockable manually and / or mechanically. The special kinematic design permits easy actuation, both manual and mechanized, of the locking device.

Description

[0001] Wulf Höflich

[0002] Patent attorney

[0003] Pallet and locking device for cargo

[0004] The invention relates to a stackable pallet with locking mechanism for cargo according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] Pallets are of great importance in transport logistics, enabling the fastest and most efficient handling of goods. Besides pallets, the most important handling aids are containers and storage boxes.

[0006] During road transport of goods, for example in trucks, physical forces can cause the load to shift. When cornering or during sudden evasive maneuvers, inadequate load securing can cause the load to shift laterally, slip, or tip over, creating dangerous situations. Load securing is mandatory in Germany by law (§ 22 StVO, "Load"), and the techniques and recognized rules for securing loads are included in guidelines (VDI 2700 ff), regulations (DGUV), information leaflets from the employers' liability insurance associations, and European standards (DIN EN). In the event of improper load securing, the driver, loading personnel, and shipper are liable. These laws and guidelines apply to the transport of loads in trucks as well as in private cars or trailers.The following types of load securing are distinguished: load securing by positive locking, load securing by friction locking and combined load securing.

[0007] 2023HE343wop

[0008] Pallets are an essential element in logistics as material handling aids for forming loading units, meaning they combine several individual goods into larger units. Pallets, or load carriers as they are sometimes called due to their design for specific purposes, are mostly standardized containers, as defined, for example, in the European standard EN 13698-1. Pallets—similar to containers—illustrate the benefits of standardizing load carriers in material handling. Their consistently identical external dimensions allow for uniform loading, storage, handling, and order picking.

[0009] To simplify or facilitate the loading, storage, handling, and order picking of certain goods for the user, a number of variants have been developed.

[0010] German patent DE 198 48 012 A1 describes a transport frame with wheels, in which the wheels can also be moved between a retracted and an extended position. If the wheels are to be retracted after transport, a hand lever must be operated to move the wheels between the two positions.

[0011] A significant advancement in terms of pallet loading capacity across multiple loading levels was achieved with the pallet disclosed in DE 20 2010 015 486 U1. This pallet features two loading levels spaced apart for receiving cargo, with the upper loading level being movably mounted to allow movement between a high and a low position. When the upper loading level is in the low position, the lower loading level is more easily accessible for loading. However, the desire frequently arose to facilitate the lifting and lowering of the sometimes heavy loading level.

[0012] An important aspect is the space-saving storage of pallets in the smallest possible space during empty runs or pallet storage. The [company / organization] addressed this.

[0013] 12.11.2024 2023HE343wop

[0014] DE 2006 013 402 U2 describes a sophisticated solution in which the pallet's side walls can be folded down to a resting position parallel to the loading platform and within its outline. This results in significant space savings during empty journeys. A further improvement in terms of load space flexibility and pallet volume when empty was achieved with the pallet featuring a movable loading floor and foldable corner posts, as published in DE 10 2020 120 353 A1.

[0015] Based on this, the object of the invention is to provide an improved locking device that allows for the secure fastening of cargo to pallets. It is important to ensure that the device requires minimal effort from the operator, whether operating it manually or mechanically. Furthermore, the invention provides a pallet for receiving cargo in which the locking mechanism can be operated flexibly and securely, either manually or mechanically.

[0016] The problem is solved according to the invention by a locking device with the features of claim 1. With regard to the pallet, the problem is solved by the features of claim 12 or 13. Further advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0017] The locking device is preferably used for locking to a locking object, for example, a crossbeam that secures cargo to a pallet. For this purpose, the locking device has at least one pair of locking hooks pivotably mounted relative to each other for gripping and clamping or releasing a section of the locking object. The locking hooks of the device can be moved between an open and closed position by pivoting about a common or separate pivot axes spaced parallel to each other. To lock, the locking hooks engage a section of the locking object in a form-fitting manner when in the closed position. The locking hooks are coupled to each other by means of a gear mechanism for a uniform pivoting motion.

[0018] 12.11.2024 2023HE343wop The connecting device can be locked and unlocked manually and / or mechanically. Its special kinematic design allows for both easy manual and mechanized operation of the locking device.

[0019] Further features, advantages, and effects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the drawing. The drawing shows:

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a locking device in the open position as part of a pallet for securing cargo.

[0021] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the locking device according to Fig.

[0022] 1 in closed position,

[0023] Fig. 3 shows a side view of the locking device according to Fig.

[0024] 1 in open position,

[0025] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the locking device in the closed position,

[0026] Fig. 5a shows a side view of the locking device according to Fig.

[0027] 1 in partial disclosure and

[0028] Fig. 5b shows a perspective view of a locking device in the closed position.

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a section of a pallet 10 for receiving cargo. The cargo is secured to a pallet frame 11 by means of a pivotable, beam-shaped crossbeam 13. In conjunction with a locking device 20, the crossbeam 13 is detachably fixed to the pallet frame 11. Opening and closing the locking device 20 releases or locks the crossbeam 13. The movement of the crossbeam 13 is primarily translational, towards or away from the locking device 20. The locking element 12 is formed at the end of the crossbeam 13 facing the locking device 20 and interacts mechanically with it.

[0030] 12.11.2024 2023HE343wop

[0031] The locking device 20 has a pair of locking hooks 21 pivotally mounted relative to each other for gripping and clamping or releasing a section 121 of the locking object 12. For this purpose, the locking hooks 21 are movable on the device between an open and closed position by pivoting about two parallel pivot axes Si and S2. The locking device 20 is actuated, as described later, in three ways: manually by actuating the locking hooks 21, by moving the crossbeam 13, or by actuating a gear 40 that couples the locking hooks 21 to each other.

[0032] The pivoting movement of the locking hooks 21 occurs in a common pivot plane Es, to which the pivot axes S1 and S2 are perpendicular. The translational direction of movement of the locking object 12 lies in the pivot plane Es, so that the locking object 12, during its opening or closing movement, aligns itself with respect to the locking device.

[0033] 20 removed or enters the locking device 20.

[0034] The locking hooks 21 are each provided at the end furthest from the axis with a locking latch 211 for gripping and clamping a section 121 of the locking object 12.

[0035] As shown in the closed position according to Fig. 2, the locking pawls 211 engage section 121 of the locking object 12 and make mechanical contact with section 121. The locking hook is located between

[0036] The positive locking mechanism produced in 21 is a type of mechanical connection in which the locking object 12 and the locking pawls 211 interlock or fit together due to their geometric shapes. In the positive locking connection created, the shape of the locking object 12 and the locking pawls 211 prevents relative movement of the locking element.

[0037] 12.11.2024 2023HE343wop Object 12 in the direction of the open position. For this purpose, the locking latches 211 have a hook-shaped undercut for positive engagement of the section 121 of the locking object 12.

[0038] The locking hooks 21 are pre-tensioned in the closed position by means of a spring element 22. The spring element 22 is designed as a gas spring. Gas springs provide a controlled tensile force instead of a compressive force. The gas spring consists mainly of a piston rod and a closed cylinder filled with nitrogen under high pressure. The damping and extension speed is determined by the thickness of the nitrogen and the diameter of the bore in the piston. The spring element 22 is pivotally mounted at one end on the left locking hook 21 and at the opposite end on the right locking hook 21. The position of the left and right ends of the spring element 22 is approximately halfway between the pivot axis Si and S2, respectively, and the left and right locking pawls 211, respectively.

[0039] As further shown in Figures 1 and 2, section 121 is designed as flange surfaces 122 extending on both sides of the crossbeam, which, in the closed position, are contacted and held by the contact surfaces of the locking pawls 211 on the side facing away from the locking device 20. This prevents any relative movement of the locking object 12 towards the open position.

[0040] The locking hooks 21 are each pivotally mounted about the separate pivot axes Si and S2, respectively, the pivot axes being radially spaced apart from each other by a center distance a, where a > 0. The pivot angle a is 5° < a < 45°, with the maximum pivot angle a being 45° in the open position (see Fig. 3) and 35° in the closed position (see Fig. 2).

[0041] As further shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the locking hooks 21 are connected to each other by means of a gear 40 for a uniform pivoting movement.

[0042] 12.11.2024 2023HE343wop couples. For this purpose, the locking hooks 21 are each provided at their axle-side end with a circular arc-shaped spur gear toothing 41, which each mesh with a double-sided toothed rack 42.

[0043] The rack 42 is guided vertically movable in the locking device 20, so that when the rack 42 is actuated vertically, a rotation of the spur gear teeth 41 about the pivot axis S1 or S2 is caused and then the opening or closing movement of the locking hooks 21 takes place.

[0044] Figure 3 shows the locking device 20 in the open position. For this, the locking hooks 21 move out of the closed position by a uniform pivoting motion, opening the positive locking mechanism and releasing the locking element 12. The latter can now move vertically upwards out of the gripping range of the locking hooks 21 and open the crossbeam 13. The pallet 10 can now be loaded or unloaded. In the open position of the locking hooks 21, the spring element 22 is tensioned, and a spring-loaded latch 23 locks one of the two locking hooks 21 in the open position.

[0045] By unlocking the spring bolt 23, locking hooks 21 snap into the closed position, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4. In the closed position, the spring bolt 23 snaps back into an opening in one of the locking hooks 21 and locks the locking device 20 in the closed position.

[0046] Fig. 5a illustrates the locking process by inserting the crossbeam 13 with the locking object 12 into the locking device 20. During the vertical insertion of the crossbeam 13 into the locking device 20, the locking pawls 211 slide to the side by contact with the flange surfaces 122 and the weight of the crossbeam 13, releasing the space between the locking hooks 21. The locking device 20 is in the open position until the locking object 12 is inserted and the locking device 20 is engaged by the pre-tensioned spring element.

[0047] 12.11.2024 2023HE343wop ss merits 22 returns to the closed position. For actuation of the locking latches 211 by the locking object 12, the locking latches 211 are chamfered on their upper side or on the side of the locking object 12.

[0048] In a positive-locking connection, one connecting partner blocks the movement of the other. Such a "blocking" occurs in at least one direction. If a second pair of surfaces is arranged opposite each other, the opposite direction is also blocked.

[0049] Figure 5b illustrates the locking device 20 without a spring element. When the crossbeam is inserted vertically into the locking device 20, the locking pawls 211 slide to the side due to contact with the flange surfaces and the weight of the crossbeam, releasing the space between the locking hooks 21. The locking device 20 remains in the open position until the locking object is inserted and the locking device 20 returns to the closed position by manual actuation of the locking hooks 21. The locking pawls 211 are chamfered on their upper side, i.e., on the side facing the locking object 12, to allow actuation by the locking object. A pin 24, positioned centrally between the locking hooks 21, facilitates precise insertion of the crossbeam.

[0050] 12.11.2024 2023HE343wop Reference List

[0051] 10 pallets

[0052] 11 pallet frames

[0053] 12 Locking object

[0054] Section 121

[0055] 122 flange area

[0056] 13 Traverse

[0057] 20 Locking device

[0058] 21 locking hooks

[0059] 211 locking latches

[0060] 22 Spring element

[0061] 23 spring bars

[0062] 24 Dorn

[0063] 30 pallet posts

[0064] 40 gearboxes

[0065] 41 Spur gear teeth

[0066] 42 Rack and pinion

[0067] Axle spacing

[0068] ES pivot plane

[0069] Si, S2 swivel axes

[0070] A swivel angle

[0071] 12.11.2024 2023HE343wop

Claims

patent claim 1. Locking device for locking with a locking object (12), wherein the locking device (20) • has at least one pair of locking hooks (21) pivotably mounted relative to each other for gripping and clamping or releasing a section (121) of the locking object (12), • the locking hooks (21 ) can be moved between an open and closed position by pivoting about a common or about separate pivot axes (Si, S2) that are parallel to each other, • the locking hooks (21 ) in the closed position engage a section (121) of the locking object (12) in a form-fitting manner, • the locking hooks (21 ) are coupled to each other by means of a gearbox (40) for a uniform pivoting movement, • the connecting device (20) can be manually and / or mechanically unlocked and locked.

2. Locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking hooks (21) are pre-tensioned in the closed position by means of a spring element (22).

3. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking hooks (21) are each pivotably mounted about a separate pivot axis (Si, S2), wherein the 12.11.2024 2023HE343wop fl If I axes (Si , S2) are radially spaced apart from each other by axis distance a, where a > 0.

4. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking hooks (21 ) are each provided at the axle-side end with a toothing (41 ) which meshes with each other and forms the transmission (40).

5. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking hooks (21 ) are each provided at the end furthest from the axis with a locking latch (211 ) for gripping and clamping a section (121 ) of the locking object (12 ).

6. Locking device according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking latch (211 ) is provided with a hook-shaped undercut for positively engaging the section (121 ) of the locking object (12).

7. Locking device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the locking pawls (211 ) are chamfered on the upper side or on the side of the locking object (12).

8. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking hooks (21 ) are each located in a common pivot plane and are pivotable by a pivot angle a, where 5° < a < 45° applies.

9. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device (20) has an axis of symmetry with respect to which the locking hooks (21) perform a uniform closing or opening movement.

10. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission (40) is secured by a locking device on each side. 12.11.2024 2023HE343wop fl If I axial end of the locking hook (21 ) formed toothing (41 ) and a double-sided toothed rack (42) is provided, wherein for uniform closing or opening movement the rack (42) meshes with the toothing (41 ) of a locking hook (21 ).

11. Locking device according to claim 10, characterized in that the rack (42) causes the closing or opening movement of the locking hooks (21) by longitudinal movement.

12. Pallet for receiving cargo with a pallet frame (11) wherein the cargo can be fixed indirectly or directly on the pallet frame (11) by means of at least one crossbeam (13) and the crossbeam (13) can be detachably fixed on the pallet frame by means of at least one locking device (20) according to one of the preceding claims.

13. Pallet (10) for receiving cargo with a pallet frame, wherein the cargo can be fixed directly or indirectly on the pallet frame (11) by means of at least one crossbeam (13) and the crossbeam (13) can be detachably fixed on the pallet frame (11) by means of at least one connecting device (20), wherein the connecting device (20) • each pair of locking hooks (21) movably mounted relative to each other is provided for gripping and clamping a section (121) of a traverse (13), • the locking hooks (21 ) on the device (20) are pivotably mounted between an open and closed position, • the locking hooks in the closed position positively engage the section of the crossbar in the closed position, • the locking hooks (21 ) are coupled to each other by means of a gearbox (40) for a uniform pivoting movement, • the connecting device (20) can be manually and / or mechanically unlocked and locked. 12.11.2024 2023HE343wop

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