WO2010077216A1

WO2010077216A1 - A mechanism used for loading and unloading boxes to the transportation means

Info

Publication number: WO2010077216A1
Application number: PCT/TR2009/000161
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ersel Urkmez
Original assignee: Ersel Urkmez
Priority date: 2008-12-30
Filing date: 2009-12-24
Publication date: 2010-07-08
Also published as: TR200809985A2; EP2382150B1; EP2382150A1

Abstract

The present invention comprises a carrier platform (1), friction-decreasing members on said carrier platform (1), a laying platform (2) hinged to said carrier platform (1) from one end and on which the box (7) to be loaded is placed, a press mechanism embodied on said laying platform (2) in order to fix said box (7) on the laying platform (2) and having a clamping profile (22) applying pressure on the box (7) from its upper surface (71), a dumper mechanism which enables the laying platform (2) to be covered on the carrier platform (1) and which is lifted again, a clamping mechanism (3) having at least a pair of clamping plate (31) holding the box (7) from two mutual lateral surfaces (72) thereof in order to fix the box (7) on the carrier platform (1) sufficiently and a movement mechanism (4) having a pushing plate (47) coupled to the box (7) from upper surface (71) thereof in order to move the box (7) back and forth on the platform (1).

Description

A MECHANISM USED FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING BOXES TO THt

TRANSPORTATION MEANS

The present invention relates to a mechanism for loading box shaped loads to the transportation means. The present invention especially relates to a mechanism to load the white good boxes to the transportation means.

TECHNICAL FIELD

One important factor influencing the costs of products like white goods is transportation. The main object of the transportation is to make the maximum number of white goods fit into the transportation mean seamlessly. Since thus with a smaller number of transportation mean, more white goods can be transported. Of course, at this point, the shape and/or the technical specifications of the white good to be transported and the transportation mean bring some limitations.

For instance, the white goods like refrigerators are loaded in a vertical position after they are put into boxes since they comprise compressor. After this loading, there are empty spaces in the upper part of the frame and the refrigerators are loaded to these spaces in horizontal form. On the other hand, because of their compressor structure, most of the refrigerators can only be laid on one side and some limited number of refrigerators can only be laid on front side thereof.

In the present applications, this process can be realized manually by the workers. However, refrigerators should be placed to a height which is the sum of the height of the transportation means and the height of the refrigerator. If such a loading process is to be carried out manually, at least 3 workers are needed. Such a loading process is an extremely difficult process, it is time consuming and increases the risk of accident for the workers.

On the other hand, special mechanisms which presses the box on the sides and afterwards which lifts the box to the desired height and which rotates the box in the desired angle are used. The major disadvantage of such mechanisms is that they cannot be used in loads which are not resistant to the pressure from the outside and most white goods are in this class. In the patent application numbered US4221526A, a related embodiment is disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a novel loading-unloading mechanism for white goods that eliminates above mentioned disadvantages and brings new advantages to the relevant technical field.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a loading-unloading mechanism which speeds up the loading-unloading process of the box shaped loads to the transportation means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a loading-unloading mechanism which eliminates the safety risks arising from the personal faults thanks to the minimizing of the laboring and at the same time to provide a loading-unloading mechanism which lowers the labor costs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a loading-unloading mechanism which realizes the process of loading the white goods horizontally into the empty space between the ceiling of the transportation means and the loaded white goods and which realizes the process of unloading the white goods from said space in a very short time.

The loading-unloading mechanism is characterized by comprising a carrier platform, a plurality of friction-decreasing member embodied on said carrier platform, a laying platform which is hinged to said carrier platform from one end and on which the box to be loaded is placed, a press mechanism which is embodied on said laying platform in order to substantially retain said box on the laying platform and which has a clamping profile for applying a pressure on the box at least from its upper surface towards the ground, a dumper mechanism for lowering and lifting the laying platform upon the carrier platform if necessary, a clamping mechanism having at least a pair of clamping plate holding the box from two mutual lateral surfaces thereof in order to fix the box on the carrier platform sufficiently and a movement mechanism having a pushing plate coupled to the box from upper surface thereof in order to move the box back and forth on the platform.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said carrier platform comprises a plurality of support profiles welded to each other.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said friction-decreasing members comprise a plurality of rolls positioned so as to rotate around itself and be spaced apart as parallel to each other on the carrier platform.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said laying platform is composed of a plurality of support profiles welded to each other.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said clamping profile is shaped so as to contact the box from the upper and back surfaces of the box.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said press mechanism also comprises at least one press piston which is coupled to at least one of the support profiles from one end and which is hinged to said clamping profile from the other end.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said dumper mechanism comprises a laying arm which is hinged to the carrier platform from one end and which is hinged to the laying platform from the other end.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said clamping mechanism also comprises linear guides whereon said clamping plates move, guide cars in order to couple clamping plates to the linear guides and a drive mechanism in order to move said clamping plates towards each other.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said drive mechanism comprises a pair of clamping piston where each one is coupled to the clamping plate. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said movement mechanism also comprises linear guides embodied on the carrier platform whereon said pushing plate moves, guide cars in order to couple the pushing plate to the linear guides and a drive mechanism in order to move said pushing plate back and forth.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said drive mechanism comprises at least a pair of threaded shaft extending parallel to the linear guides, an electrical motor so as to rotate said threaded shaft and a movement transmission mechanism coupling the output of said electrical motor to the threaded shaft.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said movement transmission mechanism is a belt-pulley mechanism.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said carrier platform comprises a fork lift flange in order to provide the coupling with a fork lift.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a ramp plate is embodied extending at a certain narrow angle according to the ground at the lower point where the carrier platform and the laying platform join each other.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention further comprises a retractable lower supporting plate at the lower region where the carrier platform and the laying platform join each other. Preferably, when the clamping profile presses onto the box from upper point thereof said lower supporting plate comes out so as to support the box from the bottom during the laying operation.

In order to understand the embodiment of the present invention with the additional elements in the best way, it had to be evaluated with the figures that are explained below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is the perspective view of the subject matter loading-unloading mechanism. Figure 2 is the detailed view of the clamping and movement mechanism of the subject matter loading-unloading mechanism.

Figure 3a and 3b are the lateral and upper views of the subject matter loading- unloading mechanism.

Figure 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d illustrate an application of the subject matter invention.

Figure 5a and 5 illustrate another application of the subject matter invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 Carrier platform 11 Support profile

12 Roll

13 Laying arm

131 Clamping surface

2 Laying platform 21 Support profiles

22 Clamping profile

23 Press piston

24 Support shaft

3 Clamping mechanism 31 Clamping plate

32 Linear guide

33 Guide car

34 Clamping piston

4 Movement mechanism 41 Linear guide

42 Guide car

43 Belt-pulley mechanism

44 Protective cover

45 Threaded shaft 46 Threaded shaft bearing

47 Pushing plate

5 Fork lift flange

6 Ramp plate 61 Lower supporting plate

7 Box

71 Upper surface

72 Lateral surface

73 Back surface 8 Fork lift

9 Container

THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed explanation, the invented subject matter is explained with figures in order to make the subject more understandable without forming any restrictive effect. According to this in the detailed explanation below, in the invention, the boxes (7) comprising a refrigerator are explained to be loaded and unloaded to containers (9). However, the present invention can be used in the carrying process of other boxes or box shaped goods.

As can be seen in Figure 1 and 3a, the subject matter loading-unloading mechanism comprises a carrier platform (1) formed by welding a plurality of support profiles (11) perpendicularly to each other and a laying platform (2) coupled to said carrier platform (1) from one end. The laying platform (2) lays the box (7) on the carrier platform (1) after stabilizing the box and the carrier platform (1) again stabilizes the box (7) which is in the horizontal position and by moving the box (7) in a horizontal position to the ground, it transfers it to the container (9) where the box (7) is loaded. In more details, a laying arm (13) is coupled to the carrier platform (1) from one end and it is coupled to the laying platform (2) from the other end and thanks to this, like a dumper, when necessary the laying platform (2) can be laid on the carrier platform (1) and when desired it can again be positioned vertically. In order for said laying arm (13) to be accommodated, the middle part of the carrier platform (1) is left open and the laying arm (13) is hinged to a fixing surface (131) embodied at the end of said aperture. On the other hand, a ramp plate (6) is positioned which is extending at a certain narrow angle with respect to the ground at the lower point where the carrier platform (1) and the laying platform (2) join each other.

The carrier platform (1) comprises rolls (12) which ease the movement of the box (7) thereon, which are in the direction perpendicular to the motion of the box (7) and which are positioned parallel to each other in certain distances. At one end of the carrier platform (1) a clamping mechanism (3) which holds the box (7) with a sufficient tightness and a movement mechanism (4) which moves the box (7) on said rolls (12) back and forth are embodied. On the other hand, a fork lift flange (5) is embodied which provided the coupling to a fork lift (8) on the front side of the carrier platform (1) when necessary.

With reference to Figure 2, said clamping mechanism (3) comprises a pair of clamping plates (31) on two sides of carrier platform (1) and which are positioned mutually and which are vertical to the ground. Each clamping plate (31) is placed on one each linear guide (32) extending partially along the front side of the carrier platform (1) through the guide car and it is coupled to one each clamping piston (34).

Thanks to this, the clamping plates (31) are moved towards each other and the box (7) laid to the carrier platform (1) can be held from two sides with a sufficient tightness.

With reference to Figure 1 and 3b, said movement mechanism (4) comprises a pushing plate (47) extending along the front side of the carrier platform (1). On the other hand, along the two lateral sides of the carrier platform (1) a pair of linear guide (41) extends and said pushing plate (47) is put on said linear guides (41) by means of one each guide car (42) from two ends. A pair of threaded shaft (45) extends along the lateral side of the carrier platform (1) parallel to each linear guide (41) and it is coupled to said linear guide cars (42) through the threaded shaft bearings (46) on one end. Thanks to said coupling, the threaded parts (not illustrated in the figure) of the guide cars (42) engages to the threads of said threaded shafts (45). On the other hand, on both sides of the carrier platform (1) facing the fork lift (8) a belt-pulley mechanism is embodied. Each threaded shaft (45) is driven by an electrical motor (not illustrated in the figure) by means of said belt-pulley mechanisms (43). Thus, as the threaded shafts (45) are rotated by the electrical motor, the pushing plate (47) can move on the carrier platform (1) back and forth. Again as can be seen in this figure, there is a protective cover (44) on the belt-pulley mechanism (43).

On the other hand, said clamping mechanism (3) is positioned on guide cars (42) of said movement mechanism (4). Thanks to this, the clamping plates (31) move together with the pushing plate (47) back and forth as a group.

Again with reference to Figure 1 , a press mechanism is embodied in order to stabilize the box (7) during the laying process in the upper end of the laying platform (2). Said press mechanism comprises at least one press piston (23) coupled to the upper side of the laying platform (2) and a clamping profile (22) hinged to one end of said press piston (23). Said clamping profile (22) preferably has an L shaped section and it is coated with rubber in order to decrease the friction coefficient. In order to mount the clamping profile (22) with a sufficient strength, one each support shaft (24) on the right and left of the press piston (23) are embodied. Thus, the refrigerator boxes (7) are held by means of the clamping profile (22) from the upper and front sides and in the process of making the laying platform (2) parallel to the ground, the boxes (7) can stand steadily.

In the light of the structural details and figures and especially in the light of Figure 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d, the operation of the invention is as follows. With reference to Figure 4a, first of all in order to apply pressure to the upper and back surfaces (71, 73) of the box (7) and in order to lay the box (7) horizontally without sliding the box, the laying platform (2) is positioned so that its angle with respect to the carrier platform (1) is greater than 90 degrees and thus the vertical box (7) which will be loaded to the container (9) is caught from the upper part by means of the clamping profile (22) in the laying platform (2). Thanks to this, by leaving a safe distance between the box (7) and the ramp plate (6) on the lower part of the laying platform (2), the early contact of the lower surface of the box (7) with the lower part of the laying platform (2) is prevented.

With reference to Figure 4b, said contact is realized after the box (7) is laid at an angle exceeding 50 degrees. After this point, since the box (7) transfers the weight thereof to the laying platform (2) there is no sliding downwards. At the same time, after the laying angle exceeds 50 degrees, the pres profile (22) ends the press and the box (7) continues to lay without sliding thanks to weight thereof.

Again with reference to Figure 4b, afterwards, subject matter mechanism is coupled to a fork lift (8) by means of a fork lift flange (5) and afterwards, the laying arm (13) moves the laying platform (2) and it brings the box (7) to the horizontal location illustrated in Figure 4c. Meanwhile, the clamping plates (31) on the clamping mechanism (3) move towards each other by means of clamping pistons (34) and they hold the box (7) from the two lateral surfaces. Afterwards, with reference to Figure 4d, fork lift (8) lifts the subject matter mechanism with the box (7) thereon to the upper alignment of the refrigerators vertically positioned within the container (9) and afterwards the movement mechanism (4) is activated. Thanks to the pushing plate (47) the movement mechanism (4) comprises, the movement mechanism starts to move the box (7) on the rolls (12) by pushing it at the upper surface (71). At the final point, the box (J) in the horizontal position is positioned on the refrigerators orthogonal inside the container (9).

Similarly, by applying the same process steps inversely, a box (7) from a container (9) can be taken back.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, instead of rolls (12), other elements which decrease friction can also be used. As an example to said elements, the rollers and the wheels used in dynamic shelf systems can be given. In a different application, a conveyor band can also be used.

In another alternative embodiment of the invention, instead of hydraulic cylinders, step motor mechanisms or servo systems which can be controlled more precisely can also be used.

In another alternative embodiment of the invention, referring to figures 5a to 5b, a lower supporting plate (61) is provided at the lower point where the carrier platform (1) and the laying platform (2) join each other. Said lower supporting plate (61) can be mechanically retracted when necessary. In detail, the clamping profile (22) presses onto the box (70) from upper point thereof and then the laying platform (2) moves the box forward. Thus, lower portion of the box (70) facing to laying platform (2) raises and simultaneously, said lower supporting plate (61), mechanically connected to the clamping profile (22), comes out and supports the box (70) from the bottom during the laying operation.

The protection scope of the present invention is set forth in the annexed Claims and cannot be restricted to the illustrative disclosures given above, under the detailed description. It is because a person skilled in the relevant art can obviously produce similar embodiments under the light of the foregoing disclosures, without departing from the main principles of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mechanism used for loading box shaped loads (7) to the transportation means (9), characterized by comprising a carrier platform (1), a plurality of friction-decreasing member embodied on said carrier platform (1), a laying platform (2) which is hinged to said carrier platform (1) from one end and on which the box (7) to be loaded is placed, a press mechanism which is embodied on said laying platform (2) in order to substantially retain said box (7) on the laying platform (2) and which has a clamping profile (22) for applying a pressure on the box (7) at least from its upper surface (71) towards the ground, a dumper mechanism for lowering and lifting the laying platform (2) upon the carrier platform (1) if necessary, a clamping mechanism (3) having at least a pair of clamping plate (31) holding the box (7) from two mutual lateral surfaces (72) thereof in order to substantially retain the box (7) on the carrier platform (1) and a movement mechanism (4) having a pushing plate (47) coupled to the box (7) from upper surface (71) thereof in order to move the box (7) back and forth on the platform (1).

2. A loading-unloading mechanism according to Claim 1 , characterized in that said carrier platform (1) comprises a plurality of support profiles (11) welded to each other.

3. A loading-unloading mechanism according to Claim 1 , characterized in that said friction-decreasing members comprise a plurality of rolls (12) positioned so as to rotate around itself and be spaced apart as parallel to each other on the carrier platform (1).

4. A loading-unloading mechanism according to Claim 1, characterized in that said laying platform (2) is composed of a plurality of support profiles (21) welded to each other.

5. A loading-unloading mechanism according to Claim 1, characterized in that said clamping profile (22) is shaped so as to contact the box (7) from the upper and back surfaces (71, 73) of the box.

6. A loading-unloading mechanism according to Claim 1 or 5, characterized in that said press mechanism also comprises at least one press piston (23) which is coupled to at least one of the support profiles (21) from one end and which is hinged to said clamping profile (22) from the other end.

7. A loading-unloading mechanism according to Claim 1, characterized in that said dumper mechanism comprises a laying arm (13) which is hinged to the carrier platform (1) from one end and which is hinged to the laying platform (2) from the other end.

8. A loading-unloading mechanism according to Claim 1, characterized in that said clamping mechanism (3) also comprises linear guides whereon said clamping plates (31) move, guide cars (32) in order to couple clamping plates (31) to the linear guides and a drive mechanism in order to move said clamping plates (31) towards each other.

9. A loading-unloading mechanism according to Claim 8, characterized in that said drive mechanism comprises a pair of clamping piston (34) where each one is coupled to the clamping plate (31).

10. A loading-unloading mechanism according to Claim 1, characterized in that said movement mechanism (4) also comprises linear guides (41) embodied on the carrier platform (1) whereon said pushing (47) plate moves, guide cars (42) in order to couple the pushing plate (47) to the linear guides (41) and a drive mechanism in order to move said pushing plate (47) back and forth.

11. A loading-unloading mechanism according to Claim 10, characterized in that said drive mechanism comprises at least a pair of threaded shaft (45) extending parallel to the linear guides (41), an electrical motor so as to rotate said threaded shaft (45) and a movement transmission mechanism coupling the output of said electrical motor to the threaded shaft (45).

12. A loading-unloading mechanism according to Claim 11, characterized in that said movement transmission mechanism is a belt-pulley mechanism (43).

13. A loading-unloading mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said carrier platform (1) comprises a fork lift flange (5) in order to provide the coupling with a fork lift (8).

14.A loading-unloading mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a ramp plate (6) is embodied extending at a certain narrow angle according to the ground at the lower point where the carrier platform (1) and the laying platform (2) join each other.

15.A loading-unloading mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that in order to move the clamping plate (31) with the pushing plate (47) as a group back and forth, said clamping mechanism (3) is positioned on the guide cars (42) of the movement mechanism (4).

16. A loading-unloading mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a retractable lower supporting plate (61) at the lower region where the carrier platform (1) and the laying platform (2) join each other.

17. A loading-unloading mechanism according to claim 16, characterized in that when the clamping profile (22) presses onto the box (70) from upper point thereof said lower supporting plate comes out so as to support the box (70) from the bottom during the laying operation.

18. A loading-unloading mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said box (7) is the exterior package of a white good.

19.A loading-unloading mechanism according to Claim 18, characterized in that said white good is a refrigerator.