TRAY FOR A STORAGE LIFT

Abstract

Tray for a storage lift, with a base for placing storage goods, wherein the tray is provided on at least one longitudinal side with at least one folded edge delimiting the base, wherein the folded edge extends substantially transversely to the base in a vertical section connected to the base. In order to provide a tray with an increased load-bearing capacity that is at the same time easy to manufacture, it is provided in the invention that the folded edge has at least one reinforcement section extending away from the vertical section, the vertical section and the at least one reinforcement section forming an obtuse angle between them.

Claims

1. A device for a tray for a storage lift, with a base for placing storage goods, wherein the tray is provided on at least one longitudinal side with at least one folded edge delimiting the base, and wherein the folded edge extends substantially transversely to the base in a vertical section connected to the base, wherein the folded edge has at least one reinforcement section extending away from the vertical section, the vertical section and the at least one reinforcement section forming an obtuse angle therebetween.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the vertical section and the at least one reinforcement section form an angle between them of between 125 and 145.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforcement section extends away from the rest of the tray.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the folded edge has at its distal end at least one traction section on which at least one traction element of a storage lift can engage.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the folded edge comprises at least one spacer section extending between the vertical section and the at least one traction section.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the spacer section is identical to the reinforcement section.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one spacer section and the at least one reinforcement section form an angle between them of between 70 and 110.

8. The device according to claim 5, the at least one spacer section forms with the at least one reinforcement section a substantially roof-shaped, in particular gable roof-shaped, cross-section.

9. The device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one traction section extends transversely to the base.

10. The device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one vertical traction section runs parallel to the vertical section.

11. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tray is formed as a bent part.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least two, preferably all, of the following elements are monolithically formed together: base, vertical section, reinforcement section, spacer section, traction section.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the base of the tray has at least one bead at at least one location spaced from at least one edge region.

Description

[0049] The same reference numerals are always used in the drawings for elements with the same function and/or structure.

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a perspective representation of a first embodiment of a tray according to the invention;

[0051] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the tray from FIG. 1;

[0052] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary exaggerated representation of the curvature of a tray according to the invention in a section through the center of the tray;

[0053] FIG. 4 shows a perspective representation of a second embodiment of a tray according to the invention;

[0054] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the tray from FIG. 4;

[0055] FIG. 6 shows a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a tray according to the invention;

[0056] FIG. 7 shows a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a tray according to the invention;

[0057] FIG. 8 shows a perspective, cut representation of an advantageous embodiment of an oblong recess;

[0058] FIG. 9 shows a cross-section through the oblong recess of FIG. 8;

[0059] FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of another advantageous shape of oblong recess; and

[0060] FIG. 11 shows a cross-section through a tray according to the invention in the area of the folded edge.

[0061] In the following, the structure of a first advantageous embodiment of a tray 1 according to the invention is described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0062] The tray 1 is used to store storage goods (not shown). For this purpose, the tray 1 has a base 3, whose base surface 5 is accessible from above. The base surface 5, on which the storage goods can be placed, represents the upper side of the base 3. The volume on which the storage goods can be placed is limited at the bottom by base 3. This volume represents a storage area 7 of the tray 1, which is indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 1.

[0063] The tray 1, or at least the base 3, has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. The narrow sides 9 of the rectangle extend parallel to a tray depth or depth direction T. The longitudinal sides 11 of the rectangular shape run transversely to the narrow sides 9 and extend parallel to a longitudinal direction L of the tray. Since the tray 1 is usually accessible on at least one longitudinal side 11, the longitudinal direction L is equivalent to a width direction of the tray. Perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and to the depth direction T is the vertical direction V of the tray, along which the height of the tray 1 extends.

[0064] On the narrow sides 9, the tray 1 has the folded edges 13 and on the longitudinal sides 11 the folded edges 15. The folded edges 13 and 15 serve on the one hand to delimit the base 3 and the base surface 5 transversely to the vertical direction V. On the other hand, the folded edges 13 and 15 absorb forces which are transmitted into them through the base 3. This stiffens the structure of the tray 1. Finally, the folded edges 13 and/or 15 can also be used to suspend or transport the tray 1.

[0065] A folded edge 15 according to the invention is described in detail below with reference to FIG. 11.

[0066] The narrow sides 9 and longitudinal sides 11 are usually formed from edge regions 12 and 14 of a sheet 21 from which the tray 1 is formed. The edge regions 12 are on the narrow sides 9 and the edge regions 14 on the longitudinal sides 11.

[0067] The base 3 can have a curvature 17 or a negative pretension. The base 3 is preferably curved upwards. The curvature 17 in an unloaded condition 18 is shown in FIG. 3 in a strongly exaggerated way. For comparison the dotted line in FIG. 3 should represent an uncurved tray base. The curvature 17 preferably extends over at least of the base 3 or the base surface 5, more preferably over the entire base 3. The size or height 20 of the curvature 17 is preferably larger than a thickness 41 of the base 3 and is preferably between 5 and 15 mm. The height 20 is measured between an uppermost point 22 and a lowermost point 24 of the curvature 17. As the curvature 17 preferably extends over the entire base 3 of the tray 1, the uppermost point 22 is normally located in the area of the center 31 of the tray 1 or base 3. The lowest point 24 is normally located near a folded edge 13 or 15.

[0068] Due to the curvature 17 of the tray 3, the load capacity is increased compared to a tray without curvature. If storage goods are placed on the tray 5, the tray 3 initially lowers, making the curvature 17 flatter. In the case of a tray which is not curved even when unloaded (as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 3), the base would already curve downwards under the same load. If the base is further loaded by taking up further storage goods, the base 3 of tray 1 will also curve downwards under a sufficiently strong load. However, this downward curvature is correspondingly less than would be the case with a comparable tray without previous upward curvature. The tray 1 curves downwards less under the same load than a tray without the curvature upwards. Since a large number of trays are arranged vertically one above the other in storage lifts, a higher density of trays in the storage lift can be achieved by using the tray 1 described here, since these can be arranged closer together along the vertical direction V. In contrast, with conventional trays that curve strongly downwards, a larger space must be kept free between two trays arranged one above the other. An upward curvature is not absolutely necessary.

[0069] Even in the unloaded condition 18, the tray 1 can have a horizontally running or even downward curved base 3. However, the base 3 is less strongly curved downwards than it would be in a comparable tray 1 without at least one plastically deformed location 19, which is discussed below.

[0070] Although the embodiment with a curvature 17 or at least one plastically deformed location 19 represents a preferred embodiment of the tray 1 according to the invention, the presence of the curvature 17 or at least one plastically deformed location 19 is not absolutely necessary. These elements merely serve to adapt the base 3 of the tray 1 to the increased load capacity of the folded edge 13 or 15 according to the invention. In other words, the base 3 should also be strengthened for an increased load-bearing capacity.

[0071] The curvature 17 of base 3 can be created indirectly. This means that a direct forming of curvature 17 itself by forming processes can be dispensed with. Instead, the base 3 is plastically deformed at at least one location 19. Preferably, the base 3 has a plurality of such plastically deformed locations 19. In FIGS. 1 and 2, not all plastically deformed locations 19 are marked with a reference numeral for the sake of clarity. The at least one plastically deformed location 19 is spaced from edge regions 12 and 14 of the tray 1.

[0072] In the plastically deformed locations 19, material of sheet 21, from which the base 3 is formed, is probably displaced laterally. More material is displaced in the longitudinal direction L than in the depth direction T. This displacement of material can lead to an elongation of the base 3 in longitudinal direction L. However, since the base 3 is prevented from increasing its surface area in the longitudinal direction L and/or in the depth direction T by the folded edge 13 and 15, it curves upwards along the vertical direction V.

[0073] At least one of the plastically deformed locations 19, preferably all plastically deformed locations 19, are monolithic, i.e. formed in one piece with the base 3 from the material of the sheet metal 21, hereinafter sheet 21. Preferably, the plastically deformed locations 19 are inserted into the sheet 21 before the folded edges 13 and 15 are formed.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment, the plastically deformed locations 19 are formed as oblong recesses 23. The oblong recesses 23 preferably represent beads 25. Such an oblong recess 23 or bead 25 is shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9. These Figures should also be referred to here.

[0075] Each of the plastically deformed locations 19 preferably represents an upward offset 27 of the base 3. In this case, the term recess 23 thus refers to a recess 23 on the underside 29, through which the base 3 is pushed upwards from the underside 29.

[0076] The oblong recesses 23 of the first embodiment run parallel to each other and to the narrow sides 9. In the depth direction T, the oblong recesses 23 are aligned with each other so that they all end with both ends at imaginary lines running parallel to the longitudinal sides 11. It is preferable that the oblong recesses 23 are equidistant.

[0077] The center 31 of the tray 3 is preferably free of plastically deformed locations 19, whereby the center 31 refers to the center of the tray area 5 when viewing the tray 3 from above. This can be advantageous in order to hold the tray 1 during its manufacture or the sheet 21 during its forming at its center 31, for example by means of a turntable of a punch-bending machine.

[0078] Along the depth direction T, the oblong recesses 23 are preferably arranged centrally between the longitudinal sides 11 of the tray 1. This means that the distances between the oblong recesses 23 and the longitudinal sides 11 or the folded edge 13 or 15 are essentially the same on both longitudinal sides 11, whereby manufacturing tolerances in the range of 5% are possible.

[0079] The oblong recesses 23 extend along longitudinal directions 33, which are preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the tray 1. Along each of the longitudinal directions 33, the oblong recesses 23 preferably have a length 35 which is more than 10% of the depth 37 of the tray 1. In particular, the oblong recesses 23 each preferably have a length 35 which is more than 10% of the depth 37 of the tray 1. The depth 37 of the tray 1 refers to the depth 37 of the base surface 5.

[0080] The offset 27 preferably has a height 39 which is at most as large as the thickness 41 of the base 3, the height 39 of the offset 27 being measured from the base surface 5 on the offset 27 in relation to the base surface 5 in a non-upset area. The thickness 41 of the base 3 is preferably equal to the thickness of the sheet 21 used to manufacture the base 3. In particular, the height 39 of the offset 27 is preferably 0.4 to 0.7 times the thickness 41. The height 39 of the offset 27 is therefore preferably less than the height 20 of the curvature 17.

[0081] In the case where the at least one plastically deformed location 19 is formed by a bead 25, the height 39 of the offset 27 corresponds to the bead height. Alternatively, the at least one offset 27 may also have a height 39 which is greater than the thickness 41 of the base 3.

[0082] According to an advantageous embodiment, as also shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the at least one oblong recess 23 or the bead 25 has a cross-section transverse to the longitudinal direction 33 of the oblong recess 23, which is trapezoidal in shape. In other words, the oblong recess 23 has, in cross-section, two mutually mirror-symmetrical legs 43, which run at an angle 45 to the undeformed base surface 5. The angle 45 is preferably between 25 and 35. Between the two legs 43 extends the essentially straight area 47. The straight area 47 preferably has a length 49 extending transversely to the longitudinal direction 33 of the oblong recess 23, which is longer than the lengths 51 of the legs 43. The oblong recess 23 thus has a flat shape overall. The straight area 47 does not necessarily have to be exactly straight. It may also have a slight upward curvature for manufacturing reasons.

[0083] Alternatively or additionally, at least one oblong recess 23 may have a semicircular cross-section. In the case of a semicircular cross-section, the convex side preferably curves upwards into the storage area 7. Such a cross-section is shown in FIG. 10. Since the trapezoidal cross-section from FIGS. 8 and 9 does not necessarily have sharp transitions for manufacturing reasons, these may also be rounded, so that the cross-sectional shape may resemble the semicircular shape of FIG. 10 overall. The rounder the transitions are, the closer the trapezoidal shape comes to the semicircular shape. In addition, other cross-sections are also possible, especially those known for beading.

[0084] The following describes another advantageous embodiment of a tray 1 according to the invention with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. For the sake of brevity, only the differences to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are discussed.

[0085] The second embodiment of the tray 1 according to the invention differs from the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the oblong recesses 23 and the beads 25, respectively, are not distributed equidistantly along the longitudinal direction L of the tray 1. Instead, the distances between two oblong recesses 23 decrease from the narrow sides 9 to the center of the tray 31.

[0086] The distribution of the oblong recesses 23 in the longitudinal direction L is preferably mirror-symmetrical with respect to a mirror plane passing through the center 31 and transverse to the longitudinal direction L. The distance 53 between the two outermost oblong recesses 23 is more than twice as large as the distance 55 between the two oblong recesses 23 closest to the center 31.

[0087] At the level of the center of the tray 31 there is an oblong recess 23, which is interrupted in the area of the center 31 in order to keep the center 31 itself free, as in the previously described embodiment, especially for the turntable of a punch-bending machine.

[0088] FIGS. 6 and 7 show only schematically two further examples of the design of plastically deformed locations 19 of the tray 1 in accordance with the invention. The plastically deformed locations 19 of the tray 1 in FIG. 6 are formed as oblong recesses 23, which may be shaped like the oblong recesses 23 described above.

[0089] However, unlike the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the longitudinal directions of the oblong recesses 23 do not run parallel to the narrow sides 9 or perpendicular to the longitudinal sides 11. Instead, the oblong recesses 23 are arranged at an angle of less than 45 to the narrow sides 9. The oblong recesses 23 run parallel in groups. Again, the distribution of the oblong recesses 23 is preferably symmetrical with respect to a mirror plane running through the center 31 and transversely to the longitudinal direction L.

[0090] Only as an example, the oblong recesses 23 on one half of the tray are equidistant from each other. Alternatively, the distances between two adjacent oblong recesses 23 can also vary.

[0091] Another possible design of the plastically deformed locations 19 is shown in FIG. 7. The design is similar to the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0092] In contrast to the first embodiment, however, the oblong recesses 23 are not continuous. Instead, the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 has rows of oblong recesses 23, which extend along the depth direction T of the tray 1. Each of the oblong recesses 23 has a longitudinal direction 33, which preferably also runs parallel to the depth direction T. In other words, this design is similar to that of the first embodiment, with the difference that the oblong recesses 23 are interrupted several times.

[0093] FIG. 11 shows a cross-section of a folded edge 15 of a longitudinal side 11. The opposite folded edge 15 can also be shaped accordingly. In the following, however, the folded edge according to the invention is only described with reference to a folded edge 15. It is also possible that at least one of the folded edges 13 is shaped according to the invention.

[0094] The at least one folded edge 15 is preferably monolithic with the base 3 formed from sheet 21 by forming or edging. The base 3 can be provided with at least one plastically deformed location 19. However, this is not mandatory.

[0095] The folded edge 15 has a vertical section 57, which extends upwards at right angles to the base 3, i.e. along the vertical direction V. The vertical section 57 delimits the base 3 of tray 1 and forms a side wall for the tray 1.

[0096] The vertical section 57 is followed by a roof-shaped section 59. The roof-shaped section 59 is arranged in such a way that it does not overlap with the base 3 or the base surface 5 when viewed in vertical direction V.

[0097] The roof-shaped section 59 preferably has the shape of a gable roof. The roof shape is formed by sections 61 and 63, which enclose an angle 65 between them. The angle 65 is preferably between 70 and 110, preferably 85 to 95. The section 61 represents a reinforcement section 61 of the folded edge 15. The reinforcement section 61 extends the vertical section 57 upwards. As a result, the area moment of inertia of the vertical section 57 or the folded edge 15 is increased and the tray 1 can support a higher load. The section 63 represents a spacer section 63 of the folded edge 15. This is discussed further below.

[0098] The reinforcement section 61 and the vertical section 57 enclose the obtuse angle 67 between them. The angle 67 is preferably between 125 and 145, more preferably 1353.

[0099] At its distal end 71 the folded edge 15 has the vertical traction section 69. The vertical traction section 69 preferably runs parallel to the vertical section 57. The traction section 69 and the vertical section 57 span a receiving space 70 between them. The receiving space 70 can be used to receive a traction means, for example a hook or finger of a traction device. Such a device can rest against the traction section 69 and pull the tray 1. Such a device can also rest on the vertical section 57 and push the tray 1. The distance between the traction section 69 and the vertical section 57 can be adjusted by the spacer section 63, provided that the vertical section 57 and the reinforcement section 61 have a predetermined shape.

[0100] Preferably, the spacer section 63 is mirror-symmetrical in cross-section to the reinforcement section 61. Here, a mirror axis runs parallel to the vertical section 57 and along the depth direction T centrally between sections 61 and 63. This creates the symmetrical gable roof shape. In such a symmetrical arrangement, the angle 72 between the spacer section 63 and the traction section 69 corresponds to the angle 67.

[0101] At its distal end 71, the folded edge 15 may have a fold 73, in which material of the sheet 21 is folded up and onto the traction section 69.

[0102] The folded edge according to the invention 15 is not limited to the form described above. This is merely an advantageous embodiment. Only as an example, FIG. 11 shows by means of the dotted line, which is provided with reference numeral 75, a further possible embodiment of a folded edge 15 according to the invention.

[0103] In the further embodiment, the reinforcement section 61 and the spacer section 63 are identical. In other words, the spacer section 63 extends the reinforcement section 61. From this common section 77, the traction section 69 extends vertically downwards. An acute angle is enclosed between the common section 77 and the traction section 69.

[0104] As an alternative to the two embodiments described above, embodiments are also possible which represent intermediate solutions between the embodiments described above. For example, the reinforcement section 61 of the first embodiment can extend further along the dotted line and then be connected to the traction section 69 via a steeper spacer section 63.

[0105] Furthermore, it is possible that the folded edge 15 has a semicircular shape in cross-section. In this way, the reinforcement section 61 and the spacer section 63 can each have the shape of a quarter circle in cross-section, so that the overall shape is that of a semicircle. A parabolic shape is also possible in which the ascending reinforcement section 61 merges into the descending spacer section 63.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0106] 1 Tray [0107] 3 Base [0108] 5 Base surface [0109] 7 Storage area [0110] 9 Narrow side [0111] 11 Longitudinal side [0112] 12 Edge region [0113] 13 Folded edge [0114] 14 Edge region [0115] 15 Folded edge [0116] 17 Curvature [0117] 18 Unloaded condition [0118] 19 Plastically deformed location [0119] 20 Height of curvature [0120] 21 Sheet material [0121] 22 Uppermost point of curvature [0122] 23 Recess [0123] 24 Lowermost point of the curvature [0124] 25 Bead [0125] 27 Offset [0126] 29 Underside of the base [0127] 31 Center of the tray [0128] 33 Longitudinal direction of an oblong recess [0129] 35 Length of an oblong recess [0130] 37 Depth of the tray [0131] 39 Height of the offset [0132] 41 Strength of the base [0133] 43 Leg [0134] 45 Angle [0135] 47 Straight area [0136] 49 Length of the straight area [0137] 51 Leg length [0138] 53 Distance between outer oblong recesses [0139] 55 Distance between inner oblong recesses [0140] 57 Vertical section [0141] 59 Roof-shaped section [0142] 61 Reinforcement section [0143] 63 Spacer section [0144] 65 Angle between reinforcement section and spacer section [0145] 67 Angle between vertical section and reinforcement section [0146] 69 Vertical traction section [0147] 70 Receiving space [0148] 71 Distal end of the folded edge [0149] 72 Angle between spacer section and traction section [0150] 73 Fold [0151] 75 Further embodiment [0152] 77 Joint section [0153] L Longitudinal direction [0154] T Depth direction [0155] V Vertical direction