Industrial Truck for Transporting Containers on a Support Frame

Abstract

Disclosed herein concerns an industrial truck for transporting a container on a support frame including a vehicle frame with height-adjustable wheel suspensions and engagement means for fixing a support frame which can be picked up by the industrial truck. Further disclosed herein is a self-supporting support frame suitable to interact with the industrial truck.

Claims

1. An industrial truck for transporting a container on a support frame, the industrial truck comprising a vehicle frame with height-adjustable wheel suspensions and engagement means for fixing the support frame which can be picked up by the industrial truck, the engagement means being mounted on the vehicle frame so as to be movable between a passive position and an active position, the industrial truck having at least one sensor for detecting the position of the support frame relative to the industrial truck, characterized in that the engagement means comprise a first group of engagement means and a second group of engagement means, wherein the movement from the passive position into the active position in the first group of engagement means takes place laterally, and the movement from the passive position into the active position in the second group of engagement means takes place laterally in the opposite direction to the first group.

2. The industrial truck according to claim 1, wherein the engagement means in their passive position are arranged inside the vehicle frame and can be pivoted into the active position through openings in the upper side of the vehicle frame.

3. The industrial truck according to claim 1, wherein the engagement means are arranged in pairs over the length of the industrial truck, wherein each pair comprises an engagement means of the first group and an engagement means of the second group.

4. The industrial truck according to claim 1, wherein the engagement means are movable from the passive position to the active position by controllable actuators, the actuators comprising a safety device which ensures the application of force of the actuators on the engagement means in the active position.

5. The industrial truck according to claim 4, wherein the actuators comprise double-acting cylinders and the safety devices comprise a nonreturn valve.

6. The industrial truck according to claim 1, wherein the engagement means are movable from the passive position to the active position by controllable actuators, the actuators being configured to provide equal forces to the engagement means of the first group and to the engagement means of the second group.

7. The industrial truck according to claim 1, wherein at least one distance sensor is provided on the upper side of the vehicle frame for determining the distance between the distance sensor and an object placed on the vehicle frame, in particular a support frame for a container.

8. A self-supporting support frame comprising a top side for receiving a container, an underside for placing the support frame on a transport vehicle, locking means being mounted on the support frame so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position and projecting upwardly from the top side of the support frame so that in their open position they can be inserted into openings on the underside of the container, and a locking mechanism for actuating the locking means, characterized in that the locking mechanism comprises sliding elements and deflection linkages, wherein the sliding elements are slidably mounted inside the support frame, and the deflection linkages are designed such that a displacement of the sliding elements causes a movement of the locking means from the open position to the closed position, and wherein openings are provided in the underside of the support frame through which engagement means of a transport vehicle can act on the sliding elements.

9. The self-supporting support frame according to claim 8, wherein the sliding elements are laterally displaceable mounted in the interior of the support frame, the displacement path of the sliding elements being limited in each case by a stop firmly connected to the support frame, and the sliding elements resting against the respective stop in the closed position of the locking means.

10. The self-supporting support frame according to claim 8, wherein the sliding elements have a shape which, when acted upon by engagement means on the sliding elements through the openings in the underside of the support frame, causes the support frame to move downwards in the direction of the engagement means.

11. The self-supporting support frame according to claim 8, wherein the deflection linkage comprises at least three rods, the first rod being connected to one of the sliding elements and pointing outwardly in the direction of a side of the support frame, the second rod extending substantially parallel to the side of the support frame and being connected to the first rod via a connecting element, so that the axial movement of the first rod is translated into a rotational movement of the second rod, and the third rod extending from the side of the support frame inwardly toward the center of the support frame, the third rod being connected to the second rod via a connecting element so that the rotational movement of the second rod is translated into an axial movement of the third rod, and the third rod being connected to the locking means via a further connecting element so that the axial movement of the third rod is translated into a movement of the locking means from the open position to the closed position.

12. The self-supporting support frame according to claim 8, wherein the support frame comprises at least one movable position indicator which takes different positions depending on the presence of a container on the support frame.

13. The self-supporting support frame according to claim 12, wherein the position indicator comprises a pin which is pressed towards the underside of the support frame by the weight of the placed container.

14. A system comprising an industrial truck and a self-supporting support frame for receiving a container, wherein the industrial truck has height-adjustable wheel suspensions which allow the industrial truck to be lowered and raised relative to the road surface, the support frame comprises four legs, the lateral distance of which is greater than the width of the industrial truck, and the height of which is dimensioned such that the industrial truck can be moved under the support frame in the lowered state, and in the raised state of the industrial truck the legs are at a distance from the road surface, characterized in that the industrial truck has movable engagement means which can engage in openings provided for this purpose in the support frame in order to fix the support frame on the industrial truck, the support frame comprising a locking device which is actuated by the engagement of the engagement means and fixes a container located on the support frame in the locked state.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the support frame comprises movable position indicators that take different positions depending on the presence of a container on the support frame, and in that the industrial truck comprises sensors that can detect the different positions of the position indicators.

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the industrial truck has distance sensors at locations corresponding to the position indicators of the support frame, which are set up to determine the distance between the respective position indicator and the associated distance sensor.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are to be interpreted as in-principle presentation. They do not constitute any restriction of the invention, for example with regard to specific dimensions or design variants. In the figures:

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a system comprising an industrial truck and a support frame for receiving a container according to a first embodiment of the invention in an unlocked state.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows the system according to FIG. 1 in a locked state.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the locking mechanism of the system of FIG. 1 in a front view.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the locking mechanism of the system of FIG. 1 in a top view.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of the locking mechanism for the system of FIG. 1 in an unlocked state.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows the locking mechanism of FIG. 5 in a locked state.

[0043] FIG. 7 shows a preferred embodiment of a position indicator and a distance sensor for the system of FIG. 1.

[0044] FIG. 8 shows an example of a loading process for a system of FIG. 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED

[0045] 102 industrial truck [0046] 104 vehicle frame [0047] 106 first group of engagement means [0048] 108 second group of engagement means [0049] 110 support frame [0050] 112 leg [0051] 114 container [0052] 302 sliding element [0053] 304 deflection linkage [0054] 306 locking means [0055] 308 stop [0056] 502 actuator [0057] 702 corner casting [0058] 704 position indicator [0059] 706 distance sensor [0060] 802 left distance [0061] 804 right distance

[0062] FIG. 1 shows a system according to the invention comprising an industrial truck 102 and a self-supporting support frame 110 for receiving a container 114. The industrial truck 102 comprises a vehicle frame 104 with height-adjustable wheel suspensions which allow the industrial truck 102 to be lowered and raised relative to the road surface. The self-supporting support frame 110 includes four legs 112, the lateral distance of which is greater than the width of the industrial truck 102, and the height of which is dimensioned such that the industrial truck 102 can be moved under the support frame 110 in the lowered state, and that the legs 112 are at a distance from the road surface in the raised state of the industrial truck 102. FIG. 1 shows the raised state of the industrial truck. On the left-hand side of FIG. 1 the system is shown in a state shortly before the container 114 is placed on the support frame 110. On the right-hand side of FIG. 1 the system is shown after the container 114 has been placed on the support frame 110.

[0063] The industrial truck 102 has at least one sensor for detecting the position of the support frame 110 relative to the industrial truck. The industrial truck 102 has movable engagement means which can engage in openings provided for this purpose in the support frame 110 in order to fix the support frame 110 on the industrial truck 102. The engagement means are mounted on the vehicle frame 104 so as to be movable between a passive position and an active position. The engagement means comprise a first group of engagement means 106 and a second group of engagement means 108. The movement of the engagement means from the passive position to the active position takes place in a different spatial direction in the case of the first group of engagement means 106 than in the case of the second group of engagement means 108. The support frame 110 includes a locking device which is actuated by the engagement of the engagement means and fixes the container 114 located on the support frame 110 in the locked state. FIG. 1 shows the engagement means in the passive position and thus in an unlocked state.

[0064] FIG. 2 shows the system according to FIG. 1 in a locked state. In the example shown the engagement means in their passive position are arranged inside the vehicle frame 104 and can be pivoted into the active position through openings in the upper side of the vehicle frame 104. The movement from the passive position into the active position in the first group of engagement means 106 takes place laterally, in the example shown by a counter-clockwise movement from the right to the left. The movement from the passive position into the active position in the second group of engagement means 108 takes place laterally in the opposite direction to the first group, in the example shown by a clockwise movement from the left to the right.

[0065] The industrial truck 102 in this example is equipped with several pairs of engagement means which are arranged with a distance to each other over the length of the industrial truck. Each pair of engagement means comprises an engagement means of the first group 106 and an engagement means of the second group 108.

[0066] FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the locking mechanism of the system of FIG. 1 in a front view. The self-supporting support frame 110 comprises a top side for receiving a container and an underside for placing the support frame 110 on the industrial truck 102. Locking means 306 are mounted on the support frame 110 so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position and projecting upwardly from the top side of the support frame 110 so that in their open position they can be inserted into openings on the underside of the container. The locking means 306 can be any suitable means known in the art that can interact with the openings in the container. In the example shown the locking means 306 are twist locks.

[0067] The support frame 110 further comprises a locking mechanism for actuating the locking means 306, the locking mechanism comprising sliding elements 302 that are slidably mounted inside the support frame 110 and deflection linkages 304. The deflection linkages 304 are designed such that a displacement of the sliding elements 302 causes a movement of the locking means 306 from the open position to the closed position. Openings are provided in the underside of the support frame 110 through which engagement means 106, 108 of the industrial truck 102 can act on the sliding elements 302. The sliding elements 302 are laterally displaceably mounted in the interior of the support frame 110, the displacement path of the sliding elements 302 being limited in each case by a stop 308 firmly connected to the support frame 110, and the sliding elements 302 resting against the respective stop 308 in the closed position of the locking means 306.

[0068] FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the locking mechanism of the system of FIG. 1 in a top view. Each deflection linkage 304 comprises three rods, the first rod being connected to one of the sliding elements 302 and pointing outwardly in the direction of a side of the support frame 110. The second rod extends substantially parallel to the side of the support frame 110 and is connected to the first rod via a connecting element, so that the axial movement of the first rod is translated into a rotational movement of the second rod. The third rod extends from the side of the support frame 110 inwardly toward the center of the support frame 110, the third rod being connected with one end to the second rod via a connecting element so that the rotational movement of the second rod is translated into an axial movement of the third rod. At its other end the third rod is connected to the locking means 306 via a further connecting element so that the axial movement of the third rod is translated into a movement of the locking means 306 from the open position to the closed position.

[0069] FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of the locking mechanism for the system of FIG. 1 in an unlocked state. FIG. 6 shows the same locking mechanism of in a locked state.

[0070] The engagement means 106, 108 are movable from the passive position to the active position by a controllable actuator 502, the actuator comprising a safety device which ensures the application of force of the actuator on the engagement means in the active position. In the example shown in FIG. 5 the actuator 502 comprises a double-acting cylinder, and the safety device comprises a nonreturn valve.

[0071] The sliding element 302 of the support frame 110 has a shape which, when acted upon by the engagement means through the openings in the underside of the support frame 110, causes the support frame to move downwards in the direction of the engagement means 106, 108. When the first group of engagement means 106, 108 press against the sliding elements 302 in the active position, the support frame 110 is forced to move towards the vehicle frame, which prevents the support frame 110 from inadvertently moving on the vehicle frame.

[0072] FIG. 7 shows a preferred embodiment of a position indicator 704 and a distance sensor 706 for the system of FIG. 1. The position indicator 704 comprises a pin that is vertically arranged next to the locking means. Its upper end protrudes beyond the surface of the support frame that is that is foreseen for the corner casting 702 of the container 114. The lower end of the pin is connected with a distance sensor 706 in the vehicle frame that registers a change in the vertical position of the pin.

[0073] The left-hand side of FIG. 7 shows a situation where the container 114 is being loaded onto the support frame but has not yet reached the final position. The position indicator 704 is not in contact with the corner casting 702 yet, such that the distance sensor 706 registers an unloaded situation. The right-hand side of FIG. 7 shows a situation where the container 114 rests on the surface of the support frame. The pin of the position indicator 704 has been pushed downwards in the direction of the distance sensor 706 by the weight of the container 114. The distance sensor 706 thus registers a loaded situation.

[0074] It might happen during the loading process that the container is positioned on the support frame but not in the right position, for example in a tilted or shifted position. In such a case the position indicator may be in contact with the corner casting of the container but not fully pressed down as it is the case when the corner casting fully rests on the surface of the support frame. The distance sensor 706 will then detect that there is a load on the support frame but that it is not ready to be fastened by the locking means. Thus, a potential damage of the locking means can be prevented.

[0075] FIG. 8 shows an example of a loading process for a system according to FIG. 1. The uppermost figure of FIG. 8 shows a support frame already lifted by an industrial truck. This figure shows a situation where the industrial truck is positioned slightly more to the left side of the support frame than to the right side. The left distance 802 between the left leg 112 of the support frame and the vehicle frame 104 is smaller than the right distance 804 between the vehicle frame 104 and the right leg 112. The engagement means 106, 108 are still in the passive position.

[0076] The figure in the middle of FIG. 8 shows a situation of the loading process where the engagement means 108 on the right-hand side is already in the active position, whereas the engagement means 106 of the left-hand side is still in transition from the passive position to the active position. The sliding element on the left-hand side has already reached its final position at the stop 308 attached to the support frame, whereas there is still a lateral distance between the sliding element 302 and the stop 308 on the right-hand side.

[0077] Applying a further force by the engagement means 106 on the respective sliding element 302 on the left-hand side leads to a lateral shift of the support frame towards the left, until the sliding element 302 on the right-hand side has reached its final position at the stop 308 as well. This situation is shown in the lowermost figure of FIG. 8. In this final active position of the engagement means 106, 108 the support frame is centered with respect to the lateral dimension of the industrial truck. Thus, independent of the initial position of the industrial truck relative to the support frame, the support frame is automatically centered on the vehicle frame 104 in relation to the wheel suspension which provides an evenly distributed load on the industrial truck in the lateral direction.

[0078] In addition to the automatic centering of the support frame a container (not shown in FIG. 8) loaded on the support frame would be locked and fastened. This is indicated by the locking means 306 on the left-hand side and the right-hand side of the support frame. In the uppermost figure both locking means 306 are in their respective open position. During the transition from the passive to the active position in the middle of FIG. 8 the locking means on the left-hand side is already in its locked position as the respective sliding element 302 has reached its final position at the stop 308. The locking means 306 on the right-hand side is still in its open position. As soon as the sliding element 302 on the right-hand side has reached its final position at the respective stop 308 the locking means 306 on the right-hand side is in its locked position as well. In this final position the container is fastened to the support frame which in turn is fastened to the vehicle frame 104 of the industrial truck. The container will rest in this fastened and secured position until the engagement means 106, 108 are actively released from the sliding elements 302.