FR3058400A1 - TRANSPORT PLAN OF TRANSPORT OF GOODS OF THE PALLET TYPE - Google Patents

Abstract

Support device, of the pallet type, comprising a planar face intended for the support of a load, of goods, characterized in that it comprises a backrest element, fixed on the pallet by at least one connecting means allowing at least one movement rotation, the backrest being movable between a folded rest position against said plane and an active position substantially orthogonal to said plane. The backsplash and the connecting means are shaped so that the backrest in the folded position is disposed on each side of the pallet and does not exceed said plane. The backrest has two parallel uprights and in that two connecting means are arranged at the rear corners of the pallet, each means being associated with a proximal end of each post of the backsplash.

Description

(57) Support device, of the pallet type, comprising a flat face intended for the support of a load of goods, characterized in that it comprises a backsplash element, fixed to the pallet by at least one connecting means allowing a less a rotational movement, the backrest being movable between a folded position of rest against said plane and an active position substantially orthogonal to said plane. The backsplash and the connecting means are shaped so that the backsplash in the folded position is disposed on each side of the pallet and does not exceed said plane. The backsplash has two parallel uprights and in that two connecting means are arranged at the rear corners of the pallet, each means being associated with a proximal end of each upright of the backsplash.

SUPPORT PLAN FOR THE TRANSPORT OF GOODS OF THE PALLET TYPE

The present invention relates to a device of the type commonly known as a "pallet" for the transport and handling of goods such as foodstuffs, powdery materials (cement), machines, arranged in boxes, cartons, crates, etc.

The pallets are of standardized dimensions to be able to be handled by standard forklifts, provided with two forks on which the pallet rests.

In a known manner, a pallet comprises three crosspieces resting and fixed on several substantially cubic blocks, namely three central and six lateral (respectively left and right). On one side of the cross members are fixed parallel and coplanar beams (so-called upper beams), thus defining an upper support plane, intended to receive and support the load to be transported.

The series of lateral and central blocks are fixed (on their face opposite to the parallel upper beams) by three respective lower beams, left, central and right.

The two forks of a forklift can thus enter the space (about 12 cm) between the ground and the cross member (front or rear).

The side members, blocks and crosspieces are generally made of wood, and fixed by nailing or stapling. They can also be made of plastic, generally of recycling.

The goods to be handled consist of individual elements such as bags, boxes, cartons, etc., stacked and juxtaposed on the pallet.

The pallet is placed on the forks of the forklift at a slight angle, backwards, at an angle of about 15 °, to prevent the load from tipping forward when the truck is moving, especially when braking .

There is therefore a need for a backrest orthogonal to the pallet support plane, on which the load would bear, at least partially.

However, such a backsplash would hinder the use and storage of empty pallets.

In addition, the installation of such a backsplash would require modifying the pallets, which would require users to have two different sets of pallets, with and without backsplash, respectively.

The invention aims to remedy this situation and thus proposes a flat support, of the pallet type, provided with a folding element, forming a backsplash, reliably fixed in the active position to resist the forces of the load, and folding on the plan of the pallet with a minimum bulk, the said element being capable of being installed on existing pallets without modification of the latter.

To this end, according to the invention, the support device, of the pallet type, comprising a flat face intended for the support of a load, of goods, is characterized in that it comprises an element forming a backsplash, fixed on the pallet by at least one connecting means allowing at least one rotational movement, the backrest being movable between a folded position of rest against said plane and an active position substantially orthogonal to said plane.

According to a preferred embodiment, the backsplash and the connecting means are shaped so that the backsplash in the folded position is disposed on each side of the pallet and does not exceed said plane.

The backsplash has two parallel uprights. Two connecting means are arranged at the rear corners of the pallet, each means being associated with a proximal end of each upright of the backsplash.

The backsplash uprights are connected by two crosspieces.

Advantageously, the connecting means allows, in addition to a relative rotational movement, a translational movement.

More specifically, each connection means comprises:

- A plate intended to be fixed on the pallet and comprising:

o A backrest blocking device in its active position; o A pivot body;

- A block, on which the backsplash is fixed, and associated with the plate so as to rotate relative to said pivot.

Preferably, the pivot has the shape of a rod provided with a projecting head, such as a screw, made integral with the plate and / or the pallet.

Advantageously, the block has a face provided with an opening capable of cooperating with the head of the rod.

The opening includes:

- At least one hole of the same dimensions as said head;

- At least one elongated slot of the same dimensions as the rod but less than those of said head.

The plate is made of folded metal, and the backrest blocking member is formed of three sides or sides forming a receptacle complementary to the base of a backrest post.

îo The base of each amount of the backsplash has a complementary recess in the head of the rod of the connecting means.

The present invention is now described with the aid of examples which are only illustrative and in no way limit the scope of the invention, from the following figures:

Figure 1 shows in perspective a palette of the invention, the movable backsplash being in the active position, perpendicular to the support plane;

Figure 2 shows in perspective the pallet of Figure 1, the element folded down, in the inactive position (at rest);

Figure 3 shows a detailed perspective view of a plate fixed on the pallet, intended to be associated with the rotary block secured to the backsplash;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show in perspective a partial and detailed view of the means of attachment / rotation of the backsplash, in two active and folded positions;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the backsplash alone;

FIGS. 6A to 6C show the front plate and the rotary block in three positions of the latter;

Figures 6D to 6F show the same elements in perspective;

FIGS. 7A to 7C are schematic views of the plate and of the block of FIGS. 6A to 6F, the block being shown in cutaway, to facilitate understanding.

The terms "horizontal", "vertical", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "longitudinal", "transverse", "distal", "proximal" refer to the position of the element which they qualify in a normal position of use, in relation to the ground and / or the user.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown an embodiment of a pallet of the invention provided with a movable backsplash, in respectively active and folded positions.

Pallet 1 according to the invention comprises a folding backrest 2, described later.

Pallet 1 in itself is of known type and includes:

- three rear crossmembers 3, median 4 and front 5, with a substantially flattened rectangular section, of length approximately 75 cm (across the width of the pallet);

- three sets each of three aligned cubic blocks (75 x 78 cm), each set comprising a central block and two lateral blocks (left and right); only the rear left 6, rear right 7 and rear central 8 blocks are referenced to facilitate understanding;

- A plurality of upper longitudinal members with a flattened rectangular section, of length (in the direction of the length of the pallet) of approximately 120 cm, namely two upper lateral longitudinal members 9 and 10, and five intermediate longitudinal members bearing the unique reference 11;

- Three lower longitudinal members, respectively left lateral 12, central and right lateral 14, fixed on the lower face (towards the ground) of the blocks.

The upper beams 9, 10 and 11 are parallel and coplanar, io thus defining an upper support plane, intended to receive and support the load to be transported (not shown). The lower beams 12, 13 and 14 are parallel and coplanar and intended to rest on the ground.

The space (about 12 cm) between the ground and the front crossmember 3 allows the forks of a forklift to pass (not shown).

The side members, blocks and crosspieces are made of wood and fixed by nailing or stapling. They can also be made of plastic, generally of recycling.

With reference to Figures 1 and 3, the backsplash associated with the pallet includes:

- two parallel uprights 15 and 16;

- two parallel high 17 and low 18 crosspieces.

According to the invention, connecting means (described later) are fixed to the two rear corners of the pallet, each means being associated with a proximal end of each upright 15, 16 of the backsplash 2.

Briefly expressed, the backsplash is fixed to the plate, by connecting means, making the backsplash 2 movable, at least in rotation, relative to the plate 1.

Thus, the backsplash 2 is able to pass from an active position orthogonal to the plane of the pallet 1 (FIG. 1), to a folded position (at rest) against the pallet (FIG. 2), and vice versa.

More precisely, as shown in FIG. 2, the backrest 2 and the connecting means are shaped so that the uprights 15 and 16 are (in the folded position) placed on each side of the pallet, precisely without protruding from the upper plane formed by the upper beams 9, 10 and 11. The upper edge of the uprights 15 and 16 are flush with said plane.

Reference is now made to Figures 3, 4A and 4B to describe in detail the connecting means.

Each connection means includes:

- A plate 19 (Figure 3) fixed on the pallet and comprising:

o A blocking member 20 of the backrest 2 in its active position;

o A pivot member 21;

- A rotary block 22 (FIGS. 4A and 4B) associated with the plate 19 so as to rotate relative to said pivot 21.

The plate 19 is made of folded metal, and the blocking member 20 of the backsplash consists of three sides or sides 23, 24, 25, in the lower part, forming a receptacle complementary to the rectangular base of the upright 15 or 16 of the backsplash 2.

The plate 19 further comprises a vertical main plate 26, crossed by the pivot screw 21, and a horizontal plate 27 at right angles to the main plate 26.

The plates 26 and 27 are fixed by screwing, respectively on:

- the corresponding block (Figure 3);

- the upper face of the corresponding lateral spar.

îo The pivot screw 21 is fixed and has a head 28 projecting a few mm relative to the plane of the plate 26.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the base of each upright 15, 16 of the backsplash comprises a groove, only the groove 29 of the upright 15 being visible in the figure.

With reference to FIGS. 6D, 6E and 6F, the rotary block 22 is made of folded metal forming a sheath with a rectangular cross section, and in any case of complementary section at the base of each upright 15,

16 of the backsplash, so that the base of each upright can be inserted with friction into the block 22 (Figures 4A and 4B).

Reference is made to FIG. 7A showing the sheath block 22 partially (cutaway), showing the interior of said block, the pallet and the backsplash not being shown.

The face of the sheath block 22, facing the pallet, is provided with lights, from top to bottom:

- A first hole 30 of diameter slightly larger than that of the screw head 28;

- A first slot 31 of width less than said head, but slightly greater than the body of a screw;

- A second hole 32 of diameter slightly larger than that of the screw head 28;

- A second slot 33 of width less than said head, but slightly greater than the body of a screw.

The slots and the holes are aligned, in the middle of the rear wall of the block 22.

îo Thus, with reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 6D to 6F, the block / sleeve assembly 22 and upright 16 (FIGS. 4A and 4B) can pivot relative to the pallet, around the pivot 21.

FIG. 4A shows the block / sheath 22 - upright 16 in the folded position, corresponding to FIG. 2. FIG. 4B shows the block / sheath 22 upright 16 in the raised, active position, corresponding to FIG. 1.

The plate 19 is first fixed on the pallet, as shown in FIG. 3.

Then the base of the upright 16 is inserted into the block / sheath 22.

Then, we have the block 22 and the upright 16 in the folded position (Figures 2 and 4A), by introducing the screw head 28 through one of the holes 30 or 32 of the block. In doing so, the screw head, passing through the groove 29 (Figure 5) at the base of the upright 16, therefore does not hinder movement.

ίο

To bring the backsplash to the active vertical position (FIG. 1), the block 22 / upright 16 assembly is rotated, to arrive at an intermediate position shown in FIG. 6B, where the rotation is blocked, the block 22 abutting against the sides 23 and 25 of the plate.

Then, the backsplash is moved in translation, thereby driving the uprights 15 and 16 and therefore the corresponding blocks upwards. This is made possible by the passage of the body of the screw along the groove 31.

io Then, we reverse the translational movement down to arrive at the position of Figures 1,4B, 6C, 6F, 7A and 7C.

The movement of the block / sleeve 22 is therefore in reality a combination of a translation and rotation movement, as explained above.

Note that in the folded position (Figures 2 and 4A), the block / sleeve 22 bears against the edges of the vertical lateral flanks 23 and 25 of the plate. The backsplash rests in this position on the upper side rails by the crosspieces 17 and 18 (Figure 2). The backsplash thus has only a minimum thickness on the pallet.

π

Claims (11)

1. Support device, of the pallet type, comprising a flat face 5 intended for the support of a load, of goods, characterized in that it comprises an element forming a backsplash, fixed on the pallet by at least one connecting means allowing at least one rotational movement, the backsplash being movable between a position folded down against said plane and an active position io substantially orthogonal to said plane. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the backsplash and the connecting means are shaped so that the backsplash in the folded position is disposed on each side of the pallet and does not exceed said plane. 15 3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the backsplash has two parallel uprights and in that two connecting means are arranged at the rear corners of the pallet, each means being associated with a proximal end of each amount of the backsplash. 20 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the amounts of the backsplash are connected by two crosspieces. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connecting means allows, in addition to a relative rotational movement, a translational movement. 25 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each connecting means comprises: - A plate intended to be fixed on the pallet and comprising: o A backrest blocking member in its active position; o A pivot body; - A block, on which the backsplash is fixed, and associated with the plate so as to rotate relative to said pivot. 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the pivot has the shape of a rod provided with a projecting head, such as a 5 screws, made integral with the plate and / or the pallet. 8. Device according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the block has a face provided with an opening capable of cooperating with the head of the rod. 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the opening io comprises: - At least one hole of the same dimensions as said head; - At least one elongated slot of the same dimensions as the rod but less than those of said head. 10. Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that 15 that the plate is made of folded metal, and the backrest blocking member is formed of three sides or sides forming a receptacle complementary to the base of an amount of the backrest. 1/2